Time resolved analysis of molecular interactions using nanomechanical cantilever sensors

Abstract

Cantilever sensors have created a widespread interest in recent years due to their unique nanomechanical signal generation mechanism. Their applications range from sensing of small molecules, chemicals and biomolecules to on-line monitoring of surface-associated phenomena, such as molecular reorganization and formation of self assembled monolayers (SAMs). Cantilever sensors allow real-time monitoring, which is the basis for the kinetic description of interactions at the sensor surface. In this paper, we present examples of cantilever sensor measurements in continuous liquid flow using a commercially available instrument (Cantisens Research, Concentris GmbH, Switzerland) and demonstrate successful approaches for a) the description of molecular interaction kinetics, b) the improvement of calibration curves of cantilever biosensors and c) the study of SAM formation, protein immobilization and surface-related conformational changes. © 2007 IOP Publishing Ltd.