The use of functionalized AFM tips as molecular sensors in the detection of pesticides

Author(s)

Daiana K. Deda ^[1] ; Bárbara B. S. Pereira ^[2] ; Carolina C. Bueno ^[3] ; Aline N. da Silva ^[4] ; Gabrielle A. Ribeiro ^[5] ; Adriano M. Amarante ^[6] ; Eduardo F. Franca ^[7] ; Fabio L. Leite ^[8]

Affiliation

^[1] Federal University of São Carlos. Department of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Laboratory of Nanoneurobiophysics - Brasil

^[2] Federal University of São Carlos. Department of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Laboratory of Nanoneurobiophysics - Brasil

^[3] Federal University of São Carlos. Department of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Laboratory of Nanoneurobiophysics - Brasil

^[4] Federal University of São Carlos. Department of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Laboratory of Nanoneurobiophysics - Brasil

^[5] Federal University of São Carlos. Department of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Laboratory of Nanoneurobiophysics - Brasil

^[6] Federal University of São Carlos. Department of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Laboratory of Nanoneurobiophysics - Brasil

^[7] Federal University of Uberlândia. Institute of Chemistry - Brasil

^[8] Federal University of São Carlos. Department of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Laboratory of Nanoneurobiophysics - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MATERIALS RESEARCH-IBERO-AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MATERIALS; v. 16, n. 3, p. 683-687, 2013-03-22.

Abstract

Atomic force spectroscopy, a technique derived from Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), allowed us to distinguish nonspecific and specific interactions between the acetolactate synthase enzyme (ALS) and anti-atrazine antibody biomolecules and the herbicides imazaquin, metsulfuron-methyl and atrazine. The presence of specific interactions increased the adhesion force (Fadh) between the AFM tip and the herbicides, which made the modified tip a powerful biosensor. Increases of approximately 132% and 145% in the Fadh values were observed when a tip functionalized with ALS was used to detect imazaquin and metsulfuron-methyl, respectively. The presence of specific interactions between the atrazine and the anti-atrazine antibody also caused an increase in the Fadh values (approximately 175%) compared to those observed when using an unfunctionalized tip. The molecular modeling results obtained with the ALS enzyme suggest that the orientation of the biomolecule on the tip surface could be suitable for allowing interaction with the herbicides imazaquin and metsulfuron-methyl. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/04599-6 - Development of nanobiosensors based on Intelligent surfaces
• Grantee: Aline Cristine Nanuh da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 09/09120-3 - Beetle luciferases: structural, functional evolution and enegineering for biotechnological purposes
• Grantee: Vadim Viviani
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 07/05089-9 - Development of nanobiosensors using atomic force spectroscopy: application for detecting pesticides
• Grantee: Fabio de Lima Leite
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants