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TECHNOLOGY
Technology
What is NanoCone Technology?

A cone-shaped dendron called NanoCone has a well-defined three-dimensional structure and its size can be changed precisely. When this monodisperse molecule is coated on a surface, branches of the NanoCone form stable chemical bonds with the surface of a substrate, and a functional group at its apex is utilized for immobilization of a bioactive molecule. In addition, these molecules are located on the surface having the regular lateral spacing between them which was directly observed by using a high resolution scanning electron microscope (HRSEM). The average spacing was 3.2 ± 0.4 nm and density 0.05 – 0.06 ea/nm2. Also, in all of the cases, the spacing was larger than 2 nm. Topographical images obtained by atomic force microscopy (AFM) also showed that the resulting layer was smooth and homogeneous without any aggregates or holes in macroscopic scale.
Therefore, the particular topological structure of the employed NanoCone surface allows the optimal spacing between biomolecules on the surface for diagnosis or bioassay. By choosing appropriate size and degree of branching of the NB, the spacing can be precisely controlled from 3 up to more than10 nanometers. Also, a stringent choice of chemical structure of its backbone and organic sublayer effectively suppresses undesirable nonspecific binding of various biomolecules.
SEM image of surface and different sizes of NanoCones

