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Increasing interest in bio-interfaces for medical, diagnostic, or biotechnology applications has highlighted the critical scientific challenge behind both the understanding and control of protein-solid surface interactions. In this context, this Account focuses on the molecular-level characterization of the interactions of peptides, ranging in size from a few amino acids to long sequences, with metal and oxide surfaces. In this Account, we attempt to fill the gap between the well-known basic studies of the interaction of a single amino acid with well-defined metal surfaces and the investigations aimed at controlling biocompatibility or biofilm growth processes. We gather studies performed with surface science tools and macroscopic characterization techniques along with those that use modeling methods, and note the trends that emerge. Sulfur drives the interaction of cysteine-containing peptides with metal surfaces, particularly gold. Moreover, intermolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonds may induce surface self assembly and chiral arrangements of the peptide layer. Depending on the solvent pH and composition, carboxylates or amino groups may also interact with the surface, which could involve conformational changes in the adsorbed peptide. On oxide surfaces such as titania or silica, researchers have identified carboxylate groups as the preferential peptide binding groups because of their strong electrostatic interactions with the charged surface. In high molecular weight peptides, systematic studies of their interaction with various oxide surfaces point to the preferential interaction of certain peptide sequences: basic residues such as arginine assume a special role. Researchers have successfully used these observations to synthesize adhesive sequences and initiate biomineralization. Studies of the interaction of peptides with nanoparticles have revealed similar binding trends. Sulfur-containing peptides adhere preferentially to gold nanoparticles. Peptides containing aromatic nitrogen also display a high affinity for various inorganic nanoparticles. Finally, we describe a novel class of peptides, genetically engineered peptides for inorganics (GEPIs), which are selected from a phage display protocol for their high binding affinity for inorganic surfaces. Extended investigations have focused on the mechanisms of the molecular binding of these peptides to solid surfaces, in particular the high binding affinity of some sulfur-free sequences of GEPIs to gold or platinum surfaces. We expect that this clearer view of the possible preferential interactions between peptides and inorganic surfaces will facilitate the development of new, more focused research in various fields of biotechnology, such as biocompatibility, biomimetics, or tissue engineering.

Two hydrolytic enzymes, namely lysozyme and trypsin, were covalently immobilized onto stainless steel surfaces using wet chemistry processes. The immobilization strategy took advantage of the spontaneous physisorption of the polymer poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) onto stainless steel to yield a firmly attached, thin organic layer containing a high density of primary amine functions. Both enzymes were then covalently grafted to the surface via a glutaraldehyde cross-linker. Alternatively, a thicker underlayer of PEI was chemisorbed by cross-linking two PEI layers by glutaraldehyde. The effective presence of both enzymes on the stainless steel surfaces and their relative amount were assessed by immunochemical assays employing specific anti-enzyme antibodies. Eventually, the hydrolytic activity of the immobilized enzymes was evaluated by local enzymatic tests with suitable substrates. This work demonstrates that, although the amount of enzymes did not vary significantly with the underlayer thickness, their hydrolytic activity could be much improved by increasing the distance from the oxide surface and, likely, by favoring their accessibility. Our data suggest that the immobilization of enzymes on solid oxide surfaces is feasible and efficient, and that the enzymes retain catalytic activity. It may thus provide a promising route towards biofilm-resistant materials., (Copyright 2009. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

This work describes the controlled immobilization of a recognized allergen, beta-lactoglobulin, onto gold transducers with the aim of optimizing the elaboration of a biosensor directed against allergen-produced antibodies. This protein was immobilized on both amine- and acid-terminated thiol self-assembled monolayers, and the influence on its affinity to a specific IgG was investigated. For amine-terminated layers, the beta-lactoglobulin was immobilized via its surface acid functions implying an activation step with 1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide hydrochloride/ester of N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC-NHS). Conversely, the grafting on acid-terminated layer takes advantage of the accessible amine groups that react with the activated acidalkylthiols. The resulting layers of beta-lactoglobulin were then submitted to various concentrations of rabbit serum containing beta-lactoglobulin specific rabbit immunoglobulin (rIgG), and the antigen/antibody affinity was evaluated using modulated polarization-infrared absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) and Fourier transform surface plasmon resonance (FT-SPR). Even though for similar concentration, the amount of adsorbed beta-lactoglobulin was identical on both surfaces, atomic force microscopy (AFM) images showed a better dispersion for amine-terminated layers. Moreover, the affinity to specific IgG, estimated under static conditions by PM-IRRAS and under dynamic conditions by SPR, was different. Grafting beta-lactoglobulin via its acid groups gave an affinity constant 3 times higher than its immobilization via its amine groups despite the fact that the amount of accessible recognition sites appeared to be similar for both systems. This work underlines the importance of the involved chemical groups upon protein immobilization on their biological activity and will be essential for the construction of nondirect biosensors for detecting specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) of allergens.

The ability of bis-triazinylpyridine (BTP) molecules to complex lanthanides is well-known in solution and can be judiciously utilized to elaborate solid sensing surfaces. This was done by synthesizing a new BTP derivative and covalently anchoring it onto gold surfaces. The BTP grafting, its chemical modification and the resultant lanthanide complexation were evaluated by combining X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Polarization Modulation-Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS). The detection of neodynium and europium cations was measured by a Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM). Interestingly, when immobilized on gold, BTP appeared to show very distinct sensitivities towards Eu(3+) and Nd(3+). Moreover, these sensitivities could be controlled by varying the pH and/or the nitrate concentration in solution. This novel strategy, consisting of the immobilization of BTP sensing molecules, is thus very promising for sensitive and specific lanthanide detection.

The aim of the present work is to develop a protocol for the specific immobilization of liposomes, via tethers, onto functionalized gold surfaces, and in addition to give one example for such a surface architecture. All surface functionalization steps are charcerized and controlled. First, mixed thiolate self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) prepared from COOH- and OCH(3)-terminated oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) alkane thiols were characterized by polarization modulation reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (PM-RAIRS) and by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). The composition of the mixed SAMs was found to be close to that of the thiol solution. Next, grafting of biotin conjugated with an NH(2)-terminated OEG spacer (biotin-OEG-NH(2)) to the COOH groups via conventional amine coupling was optimized with respect to the COOH/OCH(3) ratio of the SAM. The grafting of biotin-OEG-NH(2) was assessed by monitoring the binding of neutravidin and albumin to the biotinylated surfaces using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), as well as by PM-RAIRS. It was shown that a COOH/OCH(3) ratio of around 0.3 was sufficient to saturate the SAMs with neutravidin. Finally, tethering of liposomes onto the neutravidin-terminated SAMs, was achieved. As an application example, of a close packed layer of tethered liposomes was exposed to the membrane-penetrating peptide melittin. As monitored by QCM-D, the liposomes fused when interacting with the peptide and ruptured into an extended, supported lipid bilayer over the whole surface. In summary, the described surface modification has potential for the development of assays requiring tethered intact liposomes, or tethered planar bilayers. Such surface architectures are especially important for the study of transmembrane proteins and peptides.

A simple model is presented to describe the mixing process of acid- and alcohol-terminated thiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au(111). It was found that the low-concentration acid-terminated SAMs are enriched in acid thiol compared with the original solution from which the SAM is made. Due to the relatively strong interaction between acid and alcohol head groups, homogeneously mixed SAMs showing alcohol/acid pairs are preferred when the acid-terminated thiol fraction in solution is below or equal to 50%. This particular behavior affecting the mixing process is explained using atomistic first-principle thermodynamics. The calculated phase diagram has been discussed and interpreted with the help of XPS.

The adenine molecule is a DNA nucleobase, an essential component of genetic material. Because of the important role of DNA nucleobases in terrestrial biochemistry, we have studied the molecular adsorption, orientation, and chemical binding of adenine on metallic and semiconducting surfaces, such as gold and silicon, respectively, and their stability toward ultraviolet radiation by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) techniques. We have exposed the adenine surface system to UV radiation (200-400 nm) under a high-vacuum environment (10(-7) mbar) to study the photostability and photochemistry of adenine on different surfaces. After 10 or 24 hours of exposure under interplanetary space conditions, UV radiation induces desorption and partial dissociation of the molecule, which is dependant on the nature of the surface. The electronic excitations, induced in the material by UV absorption, play a major role in the photodestruction of the absorbed molecules on the solid surfaces.

An antibacterial peptide, Magainin I, was covalently bound to a mixed 11-mercaptoundecanoïc acid (MUA) and 6-mercaptohexanol (C6OH) (ratio 1:3) Self-Assembled Monolayer (SAM) on gold surfaces. Each step of the surface functionalization was characterized by Polarization Modulation Reflection Absorption InfraRed Spectroscopy (PM-RAIRS) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The antibacterial activity of the anchored Magainin was tested against three Gram-positive bacteria (Listeria ivanovii, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus), and the results revealed that the adsorbed Magainin I reduced by more than 50% the adhesion of bacteria at the surface, together with the killing of the bacteria that nonetheless adhered to the surface. No release of the peptide was observed upon contact with the bacterial suspension; the activity has proven to be persistent overtime, up to six months after the first use.

This paper describes the elaboration of a model immunosensor monitored by polarization modulation reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (PM-RAIRS) and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM-D), as well as its reactivity using PM-RAIRS as transduction technique. To prove its relevance, this immunosensor was applied to the detection of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a carcinogenic polycylic aromatic hydrocarbon. Very few immunoassays, and even fewer immunosensors, have been described for the assay of BaP, making it an interesting target for analytical device development. The PM-RAIRS immunosensor was constructed on planar gold-coated sensors functionalized with cystamine then glutaraldehyde. Antibodies were immobilized through their affinity to protein G, covalently coupled to the aldehyde layer. In a first stage, a model mouse IgG was utilized to optimize the elaboration parameters; then, a monoclonal anti-PAH antibody was used and detection tests were performed, monitored by PM-RAIRS. The successive functionalization steps were monitored by PM-RAIRS and QCM-D. The binding of the proteins to gold surface, their saturation coverages and association constants, as well as their capture efficiencies were discussed. BaP capture by the antibody layer was evidenced by the appearance of a new nu(C-H) band at 3039 cm(-1) typical of aromatic C-H bonds. The integrated area of this band varied linearly with the BAP concentration within the range of tested concentrations, with a limit of detection close to 3 microM. This represents the first example of direct, label-free immunodetection of a low molecular weight molecule by PM-RAIRS transduction. The simplicity and the rapid response of this IR sensor make it already very worthwhile to preliminary on-site measurements.

Three sensitive and original transduction techniques have been used to monitor the immobilization of anti-rabbit immunoglobulins (anti-rIgGs) and the detection of rIgGs on gold transducers. Polarization modulation-reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (PM-RAIRS), quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation measurements (QCM-D), and Fourier transform-surface plasmon resonance (FT-SPR) were combined to achieve the best sensitivity and a large dynamic range in the target detection step. Their performances were compared after having checked that the layers adsorbed on the three different gold substrates were identical. The studied immunosensors were elaborated by building a thiolamine layer on gold surface, followed by its derivatization by glutaraldehyde and covalent binding of a monoclonal secondary IgG. The antibody attachment step was monitored in a wide range of concentrations (1-50 microg/ml). Then the built immunosensors were used to detect the rIgG recognition. PM-RAIRS analyses, performed under air, supplied ex situ data, whereas FT-SPR and QCM techniques were used in situ, enabling on-line detection of recognition processes. Interestingly, the three techniques suggested that the antibody coverage gets saturated for approximately 20 microg/ml in solution. In the very low concentration range (1 microg/ml), antibody binding was detected by the three techniques, but FT-SPR leads to an intense signal with a wavenumber shift of approximately 30 cm(-1); one may expect, by FT-SPR, a detection limit of the order of a few tenths of microg/ml. Ongoing experiments aim at determining the limit of detection and dynamic range of the very promising FT-SPR technique.

In the aim of protecting stainless steel surfaces against protein and/or bacterial adhesion, thin films including the glycosidase hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) and/or the synthetic polymer poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were covalently coated onto flat substrates by wet chemical processes. Chemical grafting of both species was carried out by covalent binding to surfaces pretreated by the polyamine poly(ethylene imine) (PEI). Surfaces were characterized at each step of functionalization by means of reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy by modulation of polarization (PM-RAIRS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to determine the atomic and molecular composition of the interfaces, respectively. Then, the ability of the so-modified surfaces to prevent protein adsorption and bacterial adhesion together with their biocide properties were demonstrated by three local tests employing bovine serum albumin (BSA), and the bacteria Listeria ivanovii and Micrococcus luteus. A new test was implemented to assess the local enzymatic properties of HEWL. Cografting of PEG and HEWL resulted in a surface with both antiadhesion and antibacterial properties.

Protein A (PrA), mouse monoclonal anti-IgG antibody (SAb) and deglycosylated avidin (NAV) were adsorbed on gold surfaces to capture the model rabbit IgG and build three immunosensing platforms. The assembling of immunosensors, their specificity, and the receptor accessibility were monitored by polarization modulation reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy (PM-RAIRS) and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation measurement (QCM-D) at each step. Combining these two techniques allows us to compare both chemical and structural properties of the sensing layers with the former bringing chemical and semiquantitative information on the grafted protein layers, whereas the latter, in addition to the mass uptake, enables us to take the layer rigidity into account. Grafting of the three capture proteins to the transducer surfaces, covered with appropriate self-assembled monolayers, yielded protein layers with variable properties. NAV formed a dense and rigid molecular layer, likely containing protein aggregates, whereas the amount of PrA was below one monolayer resulting in a flexible layer. The amount of immobilized rabbit IgG was different for the three systems with the densest capture protein layer exhibiting the lowest binding capacity. The accessibility of antibodies on the resulting immunosensors measured by interaction with a secondary antirabbit IgG antibody was found to be closely dependent on their coverage as well as on the rigidity of the protein layer. The overall study provides in-depth information on three of the most common immunosensor recognition interfaces and demonstrates the crucial influence of both structure and density of the protein layer on the efficiency of the molecular recognition phenomena.

A new approach to optically transduce antigen-antibody association, needing no label, is described herein, taking advantage of the ability of reflection-absorption infrared (IR) spectroscopy to analyze organic thin films at the surface of reflective materials with high sensitivity. As a proof-of-principle, this new technique was applied to the immunodetection of the herbicide atrazine. Gold-coated chips were covered with a capture layer consisting of a protein derivative of the herbicide atrazine covalently bound to a self-assembled monolayer containing a carboxy-terminated thiolate. Successive binding of anti-atrazine antibody and secondary anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G antibody resulted in a change of the IR absorption properties of the organic film at the sensor surface. The two prominent amide I and II bands observed on the surface IR spectra were taken for semiquantitative analysis of the adsorbed protein amount. The presence of increasing amounts of atrazine resulted in the progressive inhibition of antibodies binding to the sensors, yielding a relative lower increase of the IR signals. The deduced standard curves displayed a sigmoidal shape typical of competitive inhibition assays. The test midpoint (IC(50)) and the limit of detection (IC(80)) were found to be in the nanomolar range and very close to those measured by an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the same antibody and the same antigen competitor.

Two antibody immobilisation procedures were compared to set up an immunosensor for goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin (anti-rIgG), i.e. rIgG covalently bound or immobilised via affinity to protein A (PrA). In both cases, the first layer of protein was covalently bound to a mixed self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) and mercaptohexanol (C6OH) on a gold surface. The elaboration of the sensitive surfaces, as well as their selectivity and sensitivity were studied step by step by polarization modulation-reflection absorption infra-red spectroscopy (PM-RAIRS) and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) with impedance measurement. QCM measurements showed that the viscoelastic properties of the antibody layer were markedly modified during the antigen recognition when the antibody was bound by affinity to PrA. The specific detection of antigen within a complex medium was assessed by PM-RAIRS thanks to the grafting of cobalt-carbonyl probes. Affinity constants between the immobilised rIgG and the anti-rIgG were determined from PM-RAIRS analysis.

We present a DNA biosensor based on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of thiol-derivatized peptide nucleic acid (PNA) molecules adsorbed on gold surfaces. Previous works have shown that PNA molecules at an optimal concentration can be self-assembled with their molecular axes normal to the surface. In such structural configuration BioSAMs of PNAs maintain their capability for recognizing complementary DNA. We describe the combined use of PM-RAIRS and synchrotron radiation XPS for the detection and spectroscopic characterization of PNA-DNA hybridization process on gold surfaces. RAIRS and XPS are powerful techniques for surface characterization and molecular detection, which do not require a fluorescence labeling of the target. We present a characterization of the spectroscopic IR and XPS features, some of them associated to the phosphate groups of the DNA backbone, as an unambiguous signature of the PNA-DNA heteroduplex formation. The N(1s) XPS core level peak after DNA hybridization is decomposed in curves components, and every component assigned to different chemical species. Therefore, the results obtained by means of two complementary structural characterization techniques encourage the use of PNA-based biosensors for the detection of DNA molecules on natural samples.

The adsorption of proteins is the first process to take place when a solid is immersed in a biological fluid; though not yet thoroughly understood at a molecular level, this process is also known to be strongly influenced by the presence of salt in solution or by pH changes. In the present work, poly-L-glutamic acid (PG) and poly-L-lysine (PL) were selected to mimic the behavior of some protein fragments. Their adsorption was investigated by infrared spectroscopy in various modes, both on planar and on divided (powder) surfaces of aluminum oxide. These two peptides were shown to have different behaviors when adsorbed from solutions with or without CaCl2 and at various pH values. Polarization modulation-reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy, applied in a special cell designed to characterize the solid surface in contact with the liquid, enabled the observation of the influence of pH and salts upon polypeptide adsorption. At pH values higher than 5 and in the presence of CaCl2 in solution, a net increase of the PG adsorbed amount is observed, whereas no such effect could be detected for PL. Specific interactions between the COO- groups on the side chains and the surface, or between those of two different molecules, was inferred. Interestingly, similar conclusions could be drawn for the surface of alumina powders contacted with solutions of PG and PL and characterized by attenuated total reflectance IR. This work demonstrates the potential for IR investigations of solid oxide-liquid interfaces combining the study of planar and finely divided surfaces.

Binary mixtures of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) and other thiols of various lengths and terminal functions were chemisorbed on gold-coated surfaces via S-Au bonds to form mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Several values of the mole fraction of MUA in the thiol mixtures were tested and the structure and composition of the resulted thin films were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and polarization modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS). The results made it clear that co-adsorption of MUA with thiols of similar chain length led to well-ordered monolayers whereas the co-adsorption of MUA with shorter thiols yielded less crystalline-like thin films, but with more reactive carboxylic acid terminal groups. This criterion appeared decisive for efficient covalent binding of Staphylococcus aureus Protein A (PrA), a protein that displays high affinity for the constant fragment (Fc) of antibodies of the IgG type from various mammal species. The ability of immobilized Protein A to recognize and bind a model IgG appeared to be optimal for the mixed SAM of MUA and the short-chain, omega-hydroxythiol 6-mercaptohexanol in the proportion 1-3.

The ability of adsorbed biosurfactants (Pf and Lb) obtained from gram-negative bacterium (Pseudomonas fluorescens) or gram-positive bacterium (Lactobacillus helveticus) to inhibit adhesion of four listerial strains to stainless steel was investigated. These metallic surfaces were characterized using the following complementary analytical techniques: contact-angle measurements (CAM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), polarization modulation-infrared reflection-adsorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Contact-angles with polar liquids (water and formamide) indicated that the stainless steel surface covered with adsorbed biosurfactant was more hydrophilic and electron-donating than bare stainless steel. The surface characterization by XPS and PM-IRRAS revealed that conditioning the stainless steel changes the substrate in two ways, by modifying the surface alloy composition and by leaving an thin adsorbed organic layer. AFM observations enabled to say that the layer covered entirely the surface and was probably thicker (with patches) in the case of Pf-conditioned surfaces compared to the Lb-conditioned ones, which seemed to be less homogeneous. Though the added layer was thin, significant chemical changes were observed that can account for drastic modifications in the surface adhesive properties. As a matter of fact, adhesion tests showed that both used biosurfactants were effective by decreasing strongly the level of contamination of stainless steel surfaces by the four strains of Listeria monocytogenes. The more important decrease concerned the CIP104794 and CIP103573 strains (>99.7%) on surface conditioned by L. helveticus biosurfactant. A less reduced phenomenon (75.2%) for the CIP103574 strain on stainless steel with absorbed biosurfactant from P. fluorescens was observed. Whatever the strain of L. monocytogenes and the biosurfactant used, this antiadhesive biologic coating reduced both total adhering flora and viable and cultivable adherent bacteria on stainless steel surfaces. This study confirms that biosurfactants constitute an effective strategy to prevent microbial colonization of metallic surfaces by pathogenic bacteria like the food-borne pathogen L. monocytogenes.

Immunosensors, based on the immobilization of a model rabbit antibody on mixed self-assembled monolayers and Protein A as a linking agent on gold transducers, were elaborated and characterized at each step by modulated polarization-infrared spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) and occasionally by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). By testing two different mixed SAMs comprising 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA), together with either decanethiol (C9CH3) or mercaptohexanol (C6OH), the role of the chemical composition and structure of the antibody attachment layer upon the sensor performance was demonstrated.

The adsorption of L-lysine on a Cu(110) surface has been investigated under UHV conditions from the sublimation of a crystalline phase. The adsorption was characterized by Fourier transform reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (FT-RAIRS) during exposure and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). At room temperature, the lysine molecules' adsorption geometry varies as a function of the exposure. At low coverage, the molecules are adsorbed via the oxygen atoms of the deprotonated carboxylate group and the nitrogen atom of the amino group. At high coverage, close to the monolayer, the molecules reorient to be anchored to the surface via one oxygen of a sideways-tilted carboxylate moiety. This first step is followed by the growth of multilayers of nonoriented molecules. In contrast, adsorption on an oxygen-modified copper surface leads to a rather disordered layer. The results are compared with the adsorption carried out on a polycrystalline copper surface after immersion in solutions of lysine at various pH values. The adsorption was monitored by polarization modulation infrared spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS). The chemistry of the adsorbed molecules is function of the starting chemical form of the lysine molecules imposed by the pH of the solution. The combination of the two techniques and various sets of adsorption conditions will give important insight into the adsorption of biomolecules on metal surfaces and the influence of water and surface oxygen.

We have characterized self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of thiol-derivatized peptide nucleic acid (PNA) chains adsorbed on gold surfaces by using reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. We have found that the molecular orientation of PNAs strongly depends on surface coverage. At low coverage, PNA chains lie flat on the surface, while at high coverage, PNA molecules realign their molecular axes with the surface normal and form SAMs without the need of co-immobilization of spacers or other adjuvant molecules. The change in the molecular orientation has been studied by infrared spectroscopy and it has been confirmed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). PNA immobilization has been followed by analyzing the N(1s) XPS core-level peak. We show that the fine line shape of the N(1s) core-level peak at optimal concentration for biosensing is due to a chemical shift. A combination of the above-mentioned techniques allow us to affirm that the structure of the SAMs is stabilized by molecule-molecule interactions through noncomplementary adjacent nucleic bases.

A new strategy aiming at the protection of metallic surfaces against the growth of biofilms is presented here. This work reports the grafting of primary amines by aminosilanization of oxidized stainless steel followed by chemical coupling of the glycosidase lysozyme from hen egg white using glutaraldehyde as homobifunctional cross-linking agent. Controlled characterization of a stainless steel surface by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy at each step enabled the mode of binding, coverage, and orientation of the grafted molecules to be addressed. As a result, the stainless steel samples covered with a covalently immobilized layer of lysozyme showed some lytic activity on a suspension of bacteria Micrococcus lysodeikticus.

Adhesion of bacterial strains on solid substrates is likely related to the properties of the outer shell of the micro-organisms. Aiming at a better understanding and control of the biofilm formation in seawater, the surface chemical composition of three marine bacterial strains was investigated by combining Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The D41 strain surface showed evidence of proteins, as deduced from the NH2 and NCO XPS and ToF-SIMS fingerprints; this strain was found to adhere to stainless steel, glass, or Teflon surfaces in a much higher quantity (2 orders of magnitude) than the two other ones, DA and D01. The latter are either enriched in COOH or sulfates, and this makes them more hydrophilic and less adherent to all substrates. Correlations with physicochemical properties and adhesion seem to demonstrate the role of the external layer composition, in particular the role of proteins more than that of hydrophobicity, on their adhesion abilities.

Infrared/visible sum-frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy is used to study the recognition of a protein (avidin) by a derived vitamin (biocytin) adsorbed on a calcium fluoride substrate. The specificity of the process is tested by replacing avidin with bovine serum albumin or presaturated avidin. The SFG spectroscopy shows drastic modifications in the CH and NH spectral ranges only upon exposure of the biocytin film to avidin. The comparison of the SFG data with Fourier transform infrared reflection absorption spectra (FT-IRRAS) in the same spectral ranges illustrates the advantages of nonlinear spectroscopy for studying and detecting recognition between biomolecules.

(S)-Cysteine has been deposited on a Cu110 surface from sublimation of a crystalline phase. The surface was characterized by Fourier transform reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (FT-RAIRS) during exposure and compared to the same copper surface after immersion into cysteine solutions at various pH values. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements provided a chemical characterization of the surface at certain stages. The combination of these two techniques highlighted the importance of the cysteine "source" for the adsorbed form of the molecules and the mode of interaction. The zwitterionic amino acid was found to be predominant after adsorption at pH values close to the isoelectric point (IEP) of the molecule but also when the layer was formed in the vapor phase. This state was very sensitive to the atmosphere, contained an excess of hydroxyls, and/or underwent reduction into the anionic form when in contact with water or air. Weakly bound cysteine or cystine molecules, formed in the adsorbed phase, were considered to explain the average thickness of the adsorbed layer that was close to 20 A. As expected, immersion in very acidic or very basic solutions led to cationic and anionic forms, respectively.

A new type of sensor was built by synthesizing a long-chain thiol functionalized with an aromatic head group and grafting it onto a gold surface. The synthesis route is here described, together with the IR, MS, and RMN analysis of the new product. Adsorption of the latter onto gold was assessed by a combination of RAIRS and XPS data. Those reveal that a monolayer of thiol is adsorbed and oriented with the benzene groups toward the external part of the layer. Detection tests were performed in various atmospheres by QCM. The response shows good sensitivity to 2,4-dinitrotrifluoromethoxybenzene as a model of nitroaromatic compound.

Fourier transform infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (FT-IRRAS) was successively used to monitor the covalent immobilization of biotin molecules onto a planar gold substrate covered with a self-assembled monolayer of cystamine and to transduce the molecular recognition of avidin and biotin. This detection was greatly facilitated and made selective by the labeling of avidin and of biotin with various transition metal carbonyl probes. The binding of avidin to the surface was optimized by blocking the nonspecific binding sites by adsorption of an unrelated protein, bovine serum albumin. This work exemplifies the feasibility of detecting biomolecular associations involving molecules of any size at a liquid/solid interface by using a simple and accessible surface analysis technique.

As part of our project of developing a new IR-based immunosensor, we investigated the functionalization of gold substrates with thin organic films containing biotin ligands. A two-step procedure was developed consisting of the chemisorption of short amine-terminated organosulfur compounds, followed by their reaction at the solid liquid interface with an activated ester derivative of biotin. Covalent binding of biotin to these attachment layers was assessed by Fourier transform infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (FT-IRRAS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The interaction of activated biotin with alcohol- and carboxylic acid-terminated monolayers was also investigated, and, as expected, no binding occurred. Moreover, mixed layers of short alcohol- and amine-terminated thiolates were successfully constructed at the gold surfaces and were shown to be the most efficient for the covalent binding of biotin thanks to the blocking effect of the thioalcohol, which prevented direct adsorption of biotin to the gold surface. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.