Chiral discrimination using an immunosensor

• Published in: Nature biotechnology Vol. 17; no. 4; pp. 371 - 374
• Main Authors: Green, Bernard S, Hofstetter, Oliver, Hofstetter, Heike, Wilchek, Meir, Schurig, Volker
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Nature 01-04-1999
• Subjects: Amino Acids - analysis; Amino Acids - chemistry; Amino Acids - immunology; Animals; Antibodies - chemistry; Antibodies - immunology; Antigen-Antibody Reactions; Biological and medical sciences; Biosensors; Biotechnology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Immunoglobulins - chemistry; Immunoglobulins - immunology; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Rabbits; Sensitivity and Specificity; Stereoisomerism; Surface Plasmon Resonance - methods; Various methods and equipments; Analysis method; Surface plasmon; Aminoacid; Chirality; Enantiomer; Immunosensor
• ISSN: 1087-0156; 1546-1696
• DOI: 10.1038/7927

Based on the stereoselectivity of immunoglobulins, we have developed a new chiral sensor for the detection of low-molecular-weight analytes. Using surface plasmon resonance detection, enantiomers of free, underivatized alpha-amino acids can be monitored in a competitive assay by their interaction with antibodies specific for the chiral center of this class of substances. The sensitivity to the minor enantiomer in nonracemic mixtures exceeds currently available methods; therefore, such immunosensors can readily detect traces of enantiomeric impurities and are attractive for a range of applications in science and industry.