Abstract: A method is provided for treating a surface of a biomedical device. The method comprises depositing a polyanionic microgel onto the surface of the biomedical device, and loading the deposited polyanionic gel with a peptoid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surface-patterned microgels to which molecular beacon probes are immobilized. The immobilized molecular beacon probes exhibit both low non-specific background and high specific fluorescence. Also disclosed are related arrays, related detection methods, and preparation methods.

Abstract: A device for detecting biospecific oligonucleotides includes a plurality of microgel spots, each of which is functionalized with molecular beacon probes and amplification primers tethered thereto. Each of the respective probes is arranged to bind to an antisense counterpart of one type of biospecific oligonucleotide. The various microgels may each be functionalized for a different oligonucleotide. In a system that incorporates the aforesaid device, the device is in contact with a solution that includes a system of molecules that cooperated with the tethered probes and primers to capture, amplify, and detect the antisense counterparts of one or more biospecific oligonucleotides. In one such system, the enzymes and primers are arranged to implement a NASBA amplification process operating on the biospecific oligonucleotides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surface-patterned microgels to which molecular beacon probes are immobilized. The immobilized molecular beacon probes exhibit both low non-specific background and high specific fluorescence. Also disclosed are related arrays, related detection methods, and preparation methods.

Abstract: Nanometer-scale hydrogels are formed from a polymer film by exposing said film to a focused electron beam of 1 to 10 nm diameter. The hydrogels may be formed in regular patterns, such as arrays, or in irregular patterns. The hydrogels have a plurality of functional groups that can form covalent bonds with proteins while preserving the natural functionality of the proteins. Such functionalized nanohydrogels may serve as a substrate for attachment of other proteins or cells, or may be used in other biological applications.

Abstract: Surface-patterned microgels are formed by treating polymer films like electron-beam photoresists, but without destroying or removing the patterned microgels from their substrate. Focused electron beams are used to create patterned microgels on surfaces where the enhanced spatial resolution can be exploited to create gels with characteristic length scales relevant to cellular and sub-cellular processes. Varying the beam intensity allows control of the concentration of proteins that adhere to the resulting microgel. The process can be used to precisely locate the adhesive junction between cells and a substrate and to confine cell growth within defined areas.