Label-free detection of low-molecular-weight samples using a terahertz chemical microscope

Abstract

A terahertz chemical microscope (TCM) has been proposed and developed to visualize the distribution of biomolecular interactions on a sensing plate without any labels. In this study, the concanavalin A (Con A)-D-(+)-mannose (mannose) interaction was detected using the TCM with mannose applied as the analyte and Con A immobilized on the sensing plate. To demonstrate this interaction, the amplitude of terahertz pulses as a function of Con A-mannose interaction time, as well as the Con A-mannose coupling concentration, was evaluated. The results suggest that coupling kinetics may be evaluated using a TCM.