ULB - FNRS
" Germanium is widely used for attenuated total reflection (ATR) Fourier infrared transform spectroscopy (FTIR). We developed a simple way using calixarenes to functionalize these Ge surfaces and transform them in high quality and sensitive biosensors. The detection being done by ATR-FTIR allows the high sensitivity but also can quantify different molecular species in a mixture as well as their different secondary structures, both being extremely important for epidemiology study (it has been demonstrated that FTIR can discriminate different Ig proteins in a mixture). The recording of the spectra takes only few seconds and their analysis can be easily automatized. Furthermore, our laboratory is equipped for rapid and high-throughput analysis (fabrication of protein micro-arrays, infrared microscope able to record hundreds of spectra simultaneously, …). This new generation of biosensor has also the great advantage of being extremely stable and recyclable . All these properties make this Ge-based infrared biosensor extremely versatile and qualified for physicians and epidemiologists to study, better understand, and control the COVID-19 epidemy. "
Funding: ULB COVID-19
Publication References: Blond P., Mattiuzzi, A et al., Grafting of Oligo(ethylene glycol)-Functionalized Calix[4]arene- Tetradiazonium Salts for Antifouling Germanium and Gold Surfaces, Langmuir 2018, 34, 6021-6027.
Contact: Vincent Raussens Senior Research Associate (FRS-FNRS Belgium) Université libre de Bruxelles Structure and Function of Biological Membranes bd. du Triomphe, Access 2 - 1050 Brussels, Belgium T : +32 (0)2 650 53 86 vrauss@ulb.ac.be