Abstract:
This work investigated single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)/polymer-protein A complexes for optically reporting antibody concentration via a change in near infrared fluorescent emission after antibody binding. SWNT have potential as biosensors because of extraordinary sensitivity, lack of photobleaching, and optical activity in a near-infrared window. A SWNT sensor could provide label-free measurements of antibody concentration in a continuous fashion, which may aid selection of production strains. Protein A itself, dextran, poly vinyl alcohol, DNA sequences, and chitosan were used as polymers for wrapping SWNT. Nonspecific binding to solution-phase constructs was found to be a major problem with these approaches. Chitosan hydrogels encapsulating SWNT also show nonspecific responses.
Description:
Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Biological Engineering, February 2012.; Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 46-51).
