Molecular Imprinting, Post Modification and Surface Functionalization of Electrospun Fibers for Concentration or Detection of Biohazards.

Abstract

Electrospun, non-woven, fibers have high surface area compared to conventional cast films. The thesis reports on the modification of electrospun fibers to concentrate and/or detect biohazards. In one study, electrospun fibers with affinity for the lectins ricin/concanavalin A were fabricated using molecular imprinting or through binding to immobilized antibodies, aptamers or lectin specific sugars. Attempts to fabricate imprinted electrospun fibers through inclusion of the template during the spinning process proved unsuccessful. However, electrospun fibers with affinity towards biohazards were successfully produced by post-modification with antibodies, aptamers or lectin specific saccharides. With regards to the latter, dextran, mannose and chitosan were immobilized onto nylon electrospun fibers that were partially hydrolyzed or treated with cyanuric chloride. The sugar-modified fibers bound significantly higher amount of lectins. Electrospun fibers were also fabricated, post modified with antibodies to capture and detect Salmonella. The study has illustrated the utility of electrospun fibers for biohazard diagnostics.