The cost and limited reusability of enzymes is hindering further development of enzyme-based biosensors. Another issue is that most enzymes are inactivated during the assay process and unable to be separated for reuse. To overcome these issues the immobilization of enzymes is being considered and the use of hybrid protein-Cu3(PO4)2 nanoflowers have been one of these systems. Using the Raston Lab invented vortex fluidic device this research takes this system many steps closer to real-world application. A new laccase nanoflower immobilization platform, LNF@silica incorporated in a VFD tube has increased the enzyme efficiency by 16 fold and allows assay monitoring in real-time. This unique system demonstrates 4 applications of the vortex fluidic device – fabrication, immobilization, continuous flow and real-time monitoring. By utilizing the vortex fluidic device the generation and immobilization of laccase nanoflowers into silica hydrogel has greatly simplified the fabrication process and allowed saving of both time and money, along with the ability to reuse the enzyme for further reactions.

For more information see https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.0c15669#

Vortex Fluidic-Mediated Fabrication of Fast Gelated Silica Hydrogels with Embedded Laccase Nanoflowers for Real-Time Biosensing under Flow

Xuan Luo, Ahmed Hussein Mohammed Al-Antaki, Aghil Igder, Keith A. Stubbs, Peng Su, Wei Zhang, Gregory A. Weiss, and Colin L. Raston ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Article ASAP

DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c15669