Nanopatterned surfaces and related methods for selective adhesion, sensing and separation

Abstract

The invention is comprised, in part, of a surface that contains more than one component or construct. Such heterogenous surface compositions and configurations, related systems and methods for sensing particle or analyte interaction therewith can selectively and/or differentially interact with a range of particles/analytes, in lieu of specific molecular sensor-analyte interactions for each particle. These interactions of various analytes or particles can differ sufficiently in strength and range between multiple analyte types or particles to effect a separation of analytes or particles mixtures, in a way that requires no sensing or detection. With incorporation of a sensing mechanism, discrimination/detection of different compounds within an analyte mixture can be accomplished.

1 . A system for selective particle sensing, said system comprising:
 a heterogeneous surface comprising a negatively-charged surface member and a plurality of components thereon, said components spaced about said surface member and having a density thereon, each said component comprising a net charge; and   a fluid medium comprising a suspended particle comprising a net charge, said medium contacting said heterogeneous surface.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said surface member comprises silica. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said spaced components comprise a protein. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said spaced protein components comprise a fibrinogen. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said spaced components comprise less than about 50% of the saturation level of said heterogeneous surface, said protein components nanometrically spaced. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said particle is micron-dimensioned. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the zone of influence of said particle has a radius at least about the average dimension between said spaced components. 
     
     
         8 . A system for selective particle separation, said system comprising:
 a heterogeneous surface comprising a negatively-charged surface member and a plurality of nanodimensioned protein components thereon, said protein components spaced about said surface member and having a density thereon, each said component comprising a net charge; and   a fluid medium comprising a mixture of particles, at least one said particle comprising a net charge, said medium contacting said heterogeneous surface.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said surface member comprises silica. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said spaced protein components comprise a fibrinogen. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said spaced components comprise less than about 50% of the saturation level of said heterogeneous surface, said protein components nanometrically spaced. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein said particle is micron-dimensioned. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the zone of influence of said particle has a radius at least about the average dimension between said spaced components. 
     
     
         14 . A system for selective particle sensing, said system comprising:
 a heterogeneous surface comprising a negatively-charged surface member and a plurality of nanodimensioned protein components thereon, said protein components nanometrically-spaced about said surface member and comprising less than about 50% of the saturation level of said heterogeneous surface, each said component comprising a net charge; and   a fluid medium comprising a suspended particle comprising a net charge, said medium contacting said heterogeneous surface.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein said surface member comprises silica. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said protein components are spaced an average distance, said distance ranging from about 15 nanometers to about 60 nanometers, from about component center to about component center. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said spaced protein components comprise a fibrinogen. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein each said spaced component has a dimension up to about 50 nanometers. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14  wherein said particle is micron-dimensioned. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the zone of influence of said particle has a radius at least about the average dimension between said spaced components.