Covalent immobilization of antibodies on electrochemically functionalized carbon surfaces

Abstract

A general method is described for the covalent attachment to carbon surfaces of sensitive biomolecules such as antibodies. First, N-hydroxysuccinimide-activated carbon surfaces are prepared by a step by step method involving an electrografting process and a monoprotected homobifunctional linker to ensure a good control of the surface modification. Then, antibodies are introduced, at the last step of the modification procedure, under native conditions at physiological pH, to minimize their denaturation. Comparison with a classical method involving a homobifunctional linker shows a decrease of the degree of coverage of the surface by antibodies, explained by the formation of bridged structures by the linker.