Application of Technologies:
- Bioelectronics
- Bioassays
- Microarrays
- Bioprinting
- Protein sequencing
- Cell attachment interfaces
- High-throughput DNA/protein synthesis
- Data storage
Advantages:
- Chemical stability under harsh lithographic workflows
- Compatibility with nanofabrication/nanopatterning workflows
- Requires small amount of starting material
- Thermal stability and biocompatibility of the brush monolayer
- Tailorable functional end groups for surface modification varied substrates
- Tailorable monomer chemistry for varied surface passivation/functionalization
- Demonstrated surface nanopatterning resolution with sub-100 nm features
Background:
Placing desired molecules in desired locations with nanoscale precision on silicon or other semiconductor substrates is indispensable to enable new biocompatible devices. Designer molecules that can interface between semiconductor substrates and inherently complex biological systems will enable transformation capabilities. To control and manipulate such semiconductor/bio interfaces, two classes of molecules are generally needed: binders (molecules enabling specific binding of biological molecules from solutions) and passivators (molecules that prevent biological molecules binding to the device surfaces). Currently, self-assembled monolayers (SAM) and polymer brushes are used to achieve surface passivation and functionalization. These methods, however, provide a limited level of customization that limit integration of biological components to electronics. Therefore, new materials and methods that are robust, compatible with lithography and biology, and customizable for many surfaces and biomolecular systems are needed. .
Technology Overview:
(2023-079)
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) brushes as passivators to prevent adsorption of biomolecules onto a substrate (i.e., surface passivation). More specifically, the PMMA brushes are covalently tethered to substrate surfaces with corresponding functional end groups, forming a monolayer that prevents adsorption of DNA onto the substrate.
(2023-122)
The researchers have also developed peptoids (synthetic peptide mimics) that can be programmed to passivate against or bind to biomolecules. Various end functional groups can be incorporated into peptoids to create ultrathin (~1 nm layer) monolayers tethered to corresponding substrates to modify surface properties. The properties of peptoids including hydrophilicity, solubility, crystallinity are easily tunable and specific biomolecule-binding functionalities can be incorporated via solid-phase synthesis allowing customization for broad device surfaces.
To date, it has been demonstrated that the above molecules and methods: i) provide versatile surface modification including passivation against specific biomolecules, preferential or specific binding to desired biomolecules; and ii) are compatible with lithographic patterning at sub-100 nm resolution and retain their chemical characteristics post nanofabrication workflows.
These molecules and methods can be used in a wide array of biomedical devices that require specific chemical functionalities in desired regions including biosensors, microarrays, and implantable bioelectronics. This invention can be employed to enable transformative advances in medical diagnostics, human-machine interactions.
Development Stage:
Proof of concept
Principal Investigators:
- Beihang Yu
- Ricardo Ruiz
- Paul Ashby
- Michael Connolly
- Grigory Tikhomirov
- Ronald Zuckermann
For More Information:
Peer-reviewed journal article:
Yu, B.; Chang, B. S.; Loo, W. S.; Dhuey, S.; O’Reilly, P.; Ashby, P. D.; Connolly, M. D.; Tikhomirov, G.; Zuckermann, R. N.; Ruiz, R. “Nanopatterned Monolayers of Bioinspired, Sequence-Defined Polypeptoid Brushes for Semiconductor/Bio Interfaces,” ACS Nano 2024, 18 (10), 7411-7423. DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c10204
Status:
Patent Pending
Opportunities: Available for licensing or collaborative research.
See These Other Berkeley Lab Technologies in this Field:
Fabrication of Uniform and Spatially Controlled Nanostructures on Substrates IB-1997
Nanoscale Pattern Transfer for Lithography, Optics, Films and NEMS IB-2162
Reliable, High Performance Transistors on Flexible Substrates IB-3252
Improved Mask Absorber for Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography 2019-058