Bio-specific recognition and applications: from molecular to colloidal scales

Biomolecules have the well-known ability to build reversible complexes. Indeed, antigens and antibodies or adhesion molecules are able to recognize one another with a strong affinity and a very high specificity. This paper first reviews the various techniques and related results about binding and un...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of physics. Condensed matter 2004-04, Vol.16 (15), p.R469-R480
Main Authors: Baudry, Jean, Bertrand, Emanuel, Lequeux, Nicolas, Bibette, Jérôme
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Condensed Matter
Exact sciences and technology
Physics
Soft Condensed Matter
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Summary:Biomolecules have the well-known ability to build reversible complexes. Indeed, antigens and antibodies or adhesion molecules are able to recognize one another with a strong affinity and a very high specificity. This paper first reviews the various techniques and related results about binding and unbinding, at the scale of a unique ligand/receptor couple. One important biotechnological application arising from these recognition phenomena concerns immuno-diagnosis, which is essentially based on the formation of these specific complexes. We show how the physics of colloids associated with the growing scientific background concerning molecular recognition helps in rationalizing and inventing new diagnostic strategies. Finally the concept of colloidal self-assembling systems as biosensors is presented as directly impacting the most important questions related to molecular recognition and their biotechnological implications.
ISSN:0953-8984
1361-648X
DOI:10.1088/0953-8984/16/15/R02