Berlin 2012 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 1: Proteins I

BP 1.3: Talk

Monday, March 26, 2012, 10:15–10:30, H 1058

The influence of van der Waals forces on protein adsorption kinetics — •Almuth Hoffmann, Hendrik Hähl, and Karin Jacob — Saarland University, D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany

In contact with an aqueous solution of proteins, any surface is instantly covered by a thin layer of proteins. It is of great interest for many biological and biomedical applications to understand and control this adsorption process that depends on a multitude of parameters. Concentrating on the influence of the substrate on the adsorption, the surface chemistry has been in focus of many studies. Protein adsorption is mainly influenced by short-range forces arising from the surface chemistry and Coulomb interaction. Yet, it could be shown that proteins also interact with the bulk substrate via van der Waals forces [1,2]. In the present study we show that the adsorption kinetics (as observed by ellipsometry) is affected by the subsurface composition of the substrate. The results are corroborated by simulations, which predict an influence of the van der Waals forces on surface processes (e.g. reorientations, spreading, *) that take place immediately after the initial adsorption. The variation of these surface processes can be investigated by fitting the experimental data with the appropriate model. The rate constants of the surface processes then give insight into the influence of the van der Waals forces.

[1] A. Quinn et al., EPL 81 (2008) 56003.

[2] Y. Schmitt, H. Hähl et al., Biomicrofluidics 4 (2010) 032201.