Photopolymerization as a promising method to sense biorecognition events

This work addresses the main topics related to the photopolymerization process to develop and to monitor the analytical signal derived from biorecognition assays. We review basic aspects of photopolymerization, together with the nature and the reactivity of the chemicals involved. Focusing on DNA and protein determination and medical applications, we envisage as relevant photopolymers that generate biocompatible hydrogels.We also review the major characterization techniques applied to ascertain the composition of the products formed and to monitor the progress of the reaction. In this sense, we present optical microscopy, fluorescence imaging, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and profilometry measures.Finally, we discuss analytical examples and applications of protein-to-protein, protein-to-antigen and DNA-hybridization photopolymerization. We demonstrate implementation of CD/DVD player technology to the detection and quantitation of such biointeractions, highlighting the advantages of this powerful methodology in biosensing.

► Photopolymerization chemical bases are presented.
► Approaches to develop and amplify biorecognition events are discussed.
► Protein and DNA interaction events using the photopolymerization principle are shown.
► Nanomolar sensitivity for protein-to-protein (or antigen) recognition is achieved.
► Compact-disc technology is successfully applied to quantify PMR events.