Block Copolymer for Patterning Bio-molecules

The fabrication of a well-defined pattern of bio-molecules is crucial for high throughput diagnostics and cell proliferations. Self-assembling block copolymers are novel candidates for the generation of high density patterns with nanometer scale features. Here, we have used a phage display library to select a peptide sequence that selectively binds to polystyrene. When the selected peptide sequence was incubated on a poly(styrene-b-methylmethacrylate) (P(S-b-MMA)) film, the pattern of the underlying block copolymer microphases was duplicated as a result of the selective binding of the peptide on PS. To utilize this result for the directional assembly of bio-molecules, the selected sequence was engineered into different loops of the fibronectin type III (FN3). The binding of the engineered FN3s was tested using inverted phase P(S-b- MMA), where PS formed cylinders standing normal to the surface. The affinity of engineered FN3s to the film varied depending on the position of the engineered loop.