Integrating a thermoresponsive copolymer with host–guest interactions for fabricating molecular recognition surfaces

Abstract

A platform capable of integrating variable molecular recognition moieties, having tunable function and regenerable/reusable ability has been developed to build bio-functional surfaces. More specifically, mannose and biotin-modified β-CD were incorporated into poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-1-adamantan-1-ylmethyl acrylate) [poly(NIPAAm-co-Ada)] surfaces by host–guest interactions to investigate their specific interaction with ConA and avidin, respectively. The surfaces have showed thermoresponsively tunable recognition for specific proteins, while showing resistance to nonspecific protein adsorption. By varying the Ada content, the regulation of specific protein adsorption in different temperature ranges could be achieved. The poly(NIPAAm-co-Ada) surfaces can be easily regenerated and reused for bio-functionalization.