AVS 49th International Symposium
    Biomaterials Wednesday Sessions
       Session BI-WeP

Paper BI-WeP3
Protein Absorption in Engineered MEMS Test-beds

Wednesday, November 6, 2002, 11:00 am, Room Exhibit Hall B2

Session: Biointerfaces and Surfaces II
Presenter: D. Henry, Clemson University
Authors: D. Henry, Clemson University
K. Lenghaus, Clemson University
U. Jalgaonkar, Clemson University
J. Dale, Clemson University
J.C. Henderson, Clemson University
J. Hickman, Clemson University
Correspondent: Click to Email
We are studying the influence of surface modification, channel geometry, flow conditions, etc., on protein absorption. The information found from these experiments will help create new knowledge for developing biocompatible MEMS systems. To this end we have developed a test system that involves clamping two silicon wafers together that have half of a channel or device etched in them, which allows for separation and examination of the wafer surface after the enzyme flow experiments have been conducted. The enzyme absorption to the channels can thus be investigated by standard enzyme assays as well as surface analysis directly in the channel halves. The primary enzymes used in this study include alkaline phosphotase, glucose oxidase, and TAQ polymerase. We have engineered a working version of this system, however, during development of the clamping system a problem arose with fluid leaking over and out of the channels. We hypothesized this was because the surface of the silicon wafer is hydrophilic and the fluid was drawn between the wafers rather than just flowing through the channels. Our results will present the solution to this problem via hydrophobic surface modification on the interior face of the silicon wafers. We will also present results on the development of the system, our experiment to optimize it, its application to determine how the proteins bind in the channels, where they bind in the channels, and if there is a difference in binding between angled and straight channels.