Imaging of immobilized antibody layers with scanning electrochemical microscopy

Temperature Effect on the Electrochemical Current Response during Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy of Living Cells

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is being used increasingly to monitor electrochemical processes at the interface of living cells and electrodes. This allows the detection and quantification of biomarkers that further the understanding of various diseases. Rapid SECM experiments are often carried out without monitoring the analyte solution temperature or are performed at room temperature. The reported research demonstrates that temperature control is crucial during SECM imaging of living cells to obtain reliable data. In this study, a SECM-integrated thermostatic ring on the sample stage enabled imaging of living biological cells in a constant height mode at various temperatures. Two-dimensional line scans were conducted while scanning single Adenocarcinoma Cervical cancer (HeLa) cells. Numerical modeling was carried out to evaluate the effect of the temperature on the electrochemical current response of living cells to compare the apparent heterogeneous rate constant (k0), representing cellular reaction kinetics. This study reveals that even slight temperature variations of approximately 2 °C affect the reaction kinetics of single living cells, altering the measured current during SECM.

Scanning Electrochemical Impedance Microscopy in Redox-Competition Mode for the Investigation of Antibodies Labelled with Horseradish Peroxidase

Scanning electrochemical microscopy enhanced by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (SEIM) was applied to detect immobilized antibodies labelled with horseradish peroxidase (Ab-HRP). The localized HRP activity was investigated by the SEIM redox competition (RC-SEIM) mode using hydrogen peroxide as a substrate and hexacyanoferrate as a redox mediator. Electrochemical impedance shows to be related to the consumption of hydrogen peroxide at the ultramicroelectrode. For the evaluation of impedimetric results, an equivalent electric circuit was applied with solution resistance, double-layer capacitance, and charge-transfer resistance. These equivalent circuit characteristics depend on the distance between the sample and ultramicroelectrode, and the concentration of substrate. From the gathered data, the charge-transfer resistance appeared to be the parameter describing the behavior of HRP catalyzed reaction as it showed a linear dependence on H₂O₂ concentration. The RC-SEIM mode suitability for the studying of HRP catalyzed reactions and for the evaluation of Ab-HRP bound to the surface was demonstrated. Additionally, the applicability of RC-SEIM mode for the determination of Ab-HRP affinity bound to the target analyte was discussed.

Scanning electrochemical microscopy in the development of enzymatic sensors and immunosensors

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is very useful, non-invasive tool for the analysis of surfaces pre-modified with biomolecules or by whole cells. This review focuses on the application of SECM technique for the analysis of surfaces pre-modified with enzymes (horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase and glucose oxidase) or labelled with antibody-enzyme conjugates. The working principles and operating modes of SECM are outlined. The applicability of feedback, generation-collection and redox competition modes of SECM on surfaces modified by enzymes or labelled with antibody-enzyme conjugates is discussed. SECM is important in the development of miniaturized bioanalytical systems with enzymes, since it can provide information about the local enzyme activity. Technical challenges and advantages of SECM, experimental parameters, used enzymes and redox mediators, immunoassay formats and analytical parameters of enzymatic SECM sensors and immunosensors are reviewed.

Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM): Fundamentals and Applications in Life Sciences

In recent years, scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) has made significant contributions to the life sciences. Innovative developments focusing on high-resolution imaging, developing novel operation modes, and combining SECM with complementary optical or scanning probe techniques renders SECM an attractive analytical approach. This chapter gives an introduction to the essential instrumentation and operation principles of SECM for studying biologically-relevant systems. Particular emphasis is given to applications aimed at imaging the activity of biochemical constituents such as enzymes, antibodies, and DNA, which play a pivotal role in biomedical diagnostics. Furthermore, the unique advantages of SECM and combined techniques for studying live cells is highlighted by discussion of selected examples.

A review on amperometric-type immunosensors based on screen-printed electrodes

In this brief review, we summarize the recent research activities involved in the development of amperometric-type immunosensors based on screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). We focus on the underlying principle involved in these types of sensors, their fabrication and electrode surface modification. We also discuss the various factors involved in the designing of such immunosensors and how they affect their performances. Finally we provide an insight into the drawbacks associated with these SPEs.

An overview of technologies for immobilization of enzymes and surface analysis techniques for immobilized enzymes

The current demands of sustainable green methodologies have increased the use of enzymatic technology in industrial processes. Employment of enzyme as biocatalysts offers the benefits of mild reaction conditions, biodegradability and catalytic efficiency. The harsh conditions of industrial processes, however, increase propensity of enzyme destabilization, shortening their industrial lifespan. Consequently, the technology of enzyme immobilization provides an effective means to circumvent these concerns by enhancing enzyme catalytic properties and also simplify downstream processing and improve operational stability. There are several techniques used to immobilize the enzymes onto supports which range from reversible physical adsorption and ionic linkages, to the irreversible stable covalent bonds. Such techniques produce immobilized enzymes of varying stability due to changes in the surface microenvironment and degree of multipoint attachment. Hence, it is mandatory to obtain information about the structure of the enzyme protein following interaction with the support surface as well as interactions of the enzymes with other proteins. Characterization technologies at the nanoscale level to study enzymes immobilized on surfaces are crucial to obtain valuable qualitative and quantitative information, including morphological visualization of the immobilized enzymes. These technologies are pertinent to assess efficacy of an immobilization technique and development of future enzyme immobilization strategies.

Oxovanadium–salen and –salan complexes as effective labels for electrochemical immunosensing: a case study for estradiol detection

The principle of an electrochemical estradiol immunosensor.

A new application of scanning electrochemical microscopy for the label-free interrogation of antibody-antigen interactions: Part 2

Within this paper we describe the use of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to fabricate a dotted array of biotinylated polyethyleneimine which was then used to immobilise first neutravidin and then a biotinylated antibody towards a relevant antigen of interest (PSA, NTx, ciprofloxacin). These antigens were selected both for their clinical relevance but also since they display a broad range of molecular weights, to determine whether the size of the antigen used effects the sensitivity of this approach. The SECM was then used to image the binding of both complementary and non-complementary antigens in a label-free assay. Imaging of the arrays before and following exposure to various concentrations of antigen in buffer showed clear evidence for specific binding of the complementary antigens to the antibody functionalised dots. Non-specific binding was also quantified by control experiments with other antigens. This demonstrated non-specific binding across the whole of the substrate, thereby confirming that specific binding does occur between the antibody and antigen of interest at the surface of the dots. The binding of ciprofloxacin was investigated both in simple buffer solution and in a more complex media, bovine milk.

In situ electrochemical imaging of membrane glycan expression on micropatterned adherent single cells

A scanning electrochemical microscopic (SECM) method for in situ imaging of four types of membrane glycan motifs on single adherent cells was proposed using BGC-823 human gastric carcinoma (BGC) cells as the model. These adherent cells were first micropatterned in the microwell of poly(dimethylsiloxane) membrane for precisely controlling the localized surface interaction, and the membrane glycans were then specifically recognized with corresponding lectins labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). On the basis of the enzymatic oxidization of ferrocenylmethanol (FMA) by H(2)O(2) to yield FMA(+), the glycan expression level was detected by the reduction current of FMA(+) at the SECM tip. The cell-surface glycans could, thus, be in situ imaged by SECM at a single-cell level without peeling the cells from culture dish. Under the optimized conditions, four types of membrane glycan motifs showed statistically distinguishable expression levels. The SECM results for different glycan motifs on adherent single cells were consistent with those estimated by flow cytometric assay. This work provides a reliable approach for in situ evaluation of the characteristic glycopattern of single living cells and can be applied in cell biologic study based on cell surface carbohydrate expression.

Topographic imaging of convoluted surface of live cells by scanning ion conductance microscopy in a standing approach mode

Scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) using a nanopipette as a probe and ionic current as a feedback signal was introduced as a novel technique to study live cells in a physiological environment. To avoid contact between the pipette tip and cells during the conventional lateral scanning mode, we adopted a standing approach (STA) mode in which the probe was moved vertically to first approach and then retracted from the cell surface at each measurement point on an XY plane. The STA mode ensured non-contact imaging of the topography of live cells and for a wide range of uneven substrates (500 x 300 microm to 5 x 5 microm). We also used a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) board to enhance feedback distance regulation. FPGA dramatically increased the feedback speed and decreased the imaging time (450 s per image) with enhanced accuracy and quality of live cell images. To evaluate the potential of the STA mode for SICM, we carried out imaging of a convoluted surface of live cell in various scan ranges and estimated the spatial resolutions of these images.

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) as a tool in biosensor research

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is discussed as a versatile tool to provide localized (electro)chemical information in the context of biosensor research. Advantages of localized electrochemical measurements will be discussed and a brief introduction to SECM and its operation modes will be given. Experimental challenges of the different detection modes of SECM and its applicability for different fields in biosensor research are discussed. Among these are the evaluation of immobilization techniques by probing the local distribution of biological activity, the visualization of diffusion profiles of reactants, cofactors, mediators, and products, and the elucidation of (local) kinetic parameters. The combination of SECM with other scanning-probe techniques allows to maximize the information on a given biosensing system. The potential of SECM as a tool in micro-fabrication aiming for the fabrication of microstructured biosensors will be shortly discussed.

Advances in the application of scanning electrochemical microscopy to bioanalytical systems

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is a powerful surface characterisation technique that allows for the electrochemical profiling of surfaces with sub micrometer resolution. While SECM has been most widely used to electrochemically study and profile non-biological surfaces and processes, the technique has in recent years, been increasingly used for the study of biological systems - and this is the focus of this review. An overview of SECM and how the technique may be applied to the study of biological systems will first be given. SECM and its application to the study of cells, enzymes and DNA will each be considered in detail. The review will conclude with a discussion of future directions and scope for further developments and applications.

Electrochemical Imaging of Localized Sandwich DNA Hybridization Using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

Imaging of localized hybridization of nucleic acids immobilized on gold-DNA chip was performed by means of the feedback mode of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). Thiol-tethered oligodeoxynucleotide (HS-ODN) probes, spotted on a gold surface, were hybridized with unmodified target sequence via sandwich hybridization with a biotinylated signaling probe. Spots where sequence-specific hybridization had occurred were developed by adding a streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase conjugate and biocatalyzed precipitation of an insoluble and insulating product. As a consequence, the surface conductivity of the spotted region of the chip where hybridization had taken place changed. These changes in conductivity were sensitively detected by the SECM tip. The proposed method allows imaging of a DNA array in a straightforward way. Analysis of real samples was also performed coupling this method with polymerase chain reaction. The imaging of 60 nM PCR amplicon (255 bp) was demonstrated.

Enzyme immunosensing of pepsinogens 1 and 2 by scanning electrochemical microscopy

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was applied to a dual enzyme immunoassay for the detection of pepsinogen 1 (PG1) and pepsinogen 2 (PG2). Sandwich-type immunocomplexes labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were constructed on microspots consisting of anti-PG1 IgG antibody and anti-PG2 IgG antibody. These microspots were fabricated on a hydrophobic glass substrate using a capillary microspotting technique. In the presence of H(2)O(2) and ferrocenemethanol (FcOH; used as an electron mediator), the labeled HRP catalyzed the oxidation of FcOH by H(2)O(2) to generate the oxidized form of FcOH (Fc(+)OH) at localized areas corresponding to microspots containing both immunocomplexes. The enzymatically generated Fc(+)OH was reduced and detected with a SECM probe (0.05 V versus Ag/AgCl), and the substrate surface was mapped to generate SECM images of the PG1 and PG2 spots. Relationships between the reduction current in the SECM images and the concentrations of PG1 and PG2 were obtained in the range 1.6-60.3 ng/ml protein. Dual imaging of PG1 and PG2 was achieved using microspots containing PG1 and PG2 immunocomplexes separated by a 200 microm physical barrier on the substrate. Pyramidal hole arrays with 100 microm x 100 microm openings on the silicon wafer were utilized to fabricate spots using antibodies on poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) membranes. Current responses obtained from microspots fabricated with pyramidal holes are significantly sharper compared to the responses obtained from spots fabricated using the capillary method.

Scanning electrochemical microscopy for direct imaging of reaction rates

Not only in electrochemistry but also in biology and in membrane transport, localized processes at solid-liquid or liquid-liquid interfaces play an important role at defect sites, pores, or individual cells, but are difficult to characterize by integral investigation. Scanning electrochemical microscopy is suitable for such investigations. After two decades of development, this method is based on a solid theoretical foundation and a large number of demonstrated applications. It offers the possibility of directly imaging heterogeneous reaction rates and locally modifying substrates by electrochemically generated reagents. The applications range from classical electrochemical problems, such as the investigation of localized corrosion and electrocatalytic reactions in fuel cells, sensor surfaces, biochips, and microstructured analysis systems, to mass transport through synthetic membranes, skin and tissue, as well as intercellular communication processes. Moreover, processes can be studied that occur at liquid surfaces and liquid-liquid interfaces.

Scanning electrochemical microscopy: principles and applications to biophysical systems

This review highlights numerous and wide ranging biophysical and biochemical applications of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). SECM instrumentation and theoretical modelling, necessary for experimental interpretation, are outlined, followed by a detailed discussion of the diverse applications of this technique. These include the measurement of flow through membranes, the determination of kinetic parameters of reactions, the investigation of the permeability of small molecules in tissues and monitoring biological processes, such as the production of oxygen or nitric oxide by cells. The significant impact of micro-electrochemical techniques on our understanding of basic physicochemical processes at biologically relevant interfaces is also considered. Studies reviewed include transport across and within bilayers and monolayers. Recent advances in SECM include the combination of SECM with other techniques, such as atomic force microscopy and optical microscopy. These developments are highlighted, along with prospects for the future.

Modeling Steady-State Experiments with a Scanning Electrochemical Microscope Involving Several Independent Diffusing Species Using the Boundary Element Method

The BEM algorithm developed earlier for steady-state experiments in the scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) feedback mode has been expanded to allow for the treatment of more than one independently diffusing species. This allows the treatment of substrate-generation/tip-collection SECM experiments. The simulations revealed the interrelation of sample layout, local kinetics, imaging conditions, and the quality of the obtained SECM images. Resolution in the SECM SG/TC images has been evaluated, and it depends on several factors. For most practical situations, the resolution is limited by the diffusion profiles of the sample. When a dissolved compound is converted at the sample (e.g., oxygen reduction or enzymatic reaction at the sample), the working distance should be significantly larger than in SECM feedback experiments (ca. 3 r(T) for RG = 5) in order to avoid diffusional shielding of the active regions on the sample by the UME body. The resolution ability also depends on the kinetics of the active regions. The best resolution can be expected if all the active regions cause the same flux. In one simulated example, which might mimic a possible scenario of a low-density protein array, considerable compromises in the resolving power, were noted when the flux from two neighboring spots differs by more than a factor of 2.

A Dual-Electrode Approach for Highly Selective Detection of Glucose Based on Diffusion Layer Theory: Experiments and Simulation

A dual-electrode configuration for the highly selective detection of glucose in the diffusion layer of the substrate electrode is presented. In this approach, a glassy carbon electrode (GCE, substrate) modified with a conductive layer of glucose oxidase/Nafion/graphite (GNG) was used to create an interference-free region in its diffusion layer by electrochemical depletion of interfering electroactive species. A Pt microelectrode (tip, 5 microm in radius) was located in the diffusion layer of the GNG-modified GCE (GNG-G) with the help of scanning electrochemical microscopy. Consequently, the tip of the electrode could sense glucose selectively by detecting the amount of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) formed from the oxidization of glucose on the glucose oxidase layer. The influences of parameters, including tip-substrate distance, substrate potential, and electrolyzing time, on the interference-removing efficiency of this dual-electrode approach have been investigated systematically. When the electrolyzing time was 30 s, the tip-substrate distance was 1.8 a (9.0 microm) (where a is the radius of the tip electrode), the potentials of the tip and substrate electrodes were 0.7 V and 0.4 V, respectively, and a mixture of ascorbic acid (0.3 mM), uric acid (0.3 mM), and 4-acetaminophen (0.3 mM) had no influence on the glucose detection. In addition, the current-time responses of the tip electrode at different tip-substrate distances in a solution containing interfering species were numerically simulated. The results from the simulation are in good agreement with the experimental data. This research provides a concept of detection in the diffusion layer of a substrate electrode, as an interference-free region, for developing novel microelectrochemical devices.

Mapping of enzyme activity by detection of enzymatic products during AFM imaging with integrated SECM–AFM probes

With the integration of submicro- and nanoelectrodes into atomic force microscopy (AFM) probes using microfabrication techniques, an elegant approach combining scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) with AFM has recently been introduced. Simultaneous contact mode imaging of a micropatterned sample with immobilized enzyme spots and imaging of enzyme activity is shown. In contrast to force spectroscopy the conversion of an enzymatic byproduct is directly detected during AFM imaging and correlated to the activity of the enzyme.

Chemical imaging of biological systems with the scanning electrochemical microscope

A brief overview on recent advances in the application of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to the investigation of biological systems is presented. Special emphasis is given to the mapping of local enzyme activity by SECM, which is exemplified by relevant original systems.