| An integrated fluorescence system consisting of a total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) flow cell and a computer controlled fluidic system was developed to study the protein adsorption independent of the flow rate on selected surfaces, including hydrophilic unmodified quartz, and hydrophobic C-18-derivitized and Sigmacote-treated quartz surfaces. This study experimentally demonstrated protein adsorption of BSA (bovine serum albumin) on selected surfaces controlled by interfacial kinetics and independent on the flow rate in the wall shear rate range of 80–500 s−1 due to using a relatively high initial shear rate. Since hydrophobic surfaces demonstrated higher adsorption affinities than those on hydrophilic surfaces and the more hydrophobic surfaces exhibited higher protein adsorption rates, the hydrophobic interactions appeared to play an important role in protein adsorption of BSA on selected surfaces.; A two-fluorophore technique coupled with TIRF was developed to investigate protein/membrane interactions by monitoring both protein and membrane response, simultaneously. One of the labels was attached to the surface supported phospholipid membrane (SSLB) and the other to the protein. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
