Supramolecular architectures for the functionalization of solid surfaces.

Surface plasmon optical techniques are described as sensitive tools that allow for the on-line characterization of supramolecular biofunctional architectures at solid/solution interfaces. After a short introduction into the fundamentals of surface plasmon optics the observation of the build up of a functional bio-interface by the self-assembly process of long chain thiolates at an Au surface is described. Criteria are developed for tailoring the SAM architectures optimized for maximum protein binding from solution by specific bio-recognition reactions. SPM is employed to image the selective binding of streptavidin to a functionalized SAM laterally patterned by UV-photolithographic techniques.