Biofunctional core-shell nanoparticle deposition for biochip creation by printing processes

In order to set up an automated production-line for nanoparticle-based bio-chips, a piezo driven ink-jet printing process was developed which is biocompatible and allows for high flexibility as well as accuracy in nanoparticle deposition. Highly dense and homogenous 3-dimensional aminomodified core-shell nanoparticle surfaces were achieved via inkjet printing with 2-methyl-l-pentanol based ink. Nanoparticles dispersed in a poly ethylene glycol (PEG) based ink with adjusted physical properties for jetting such as viscosity and surface tension were printed onto glass substrates which resulted in loosely packed nanoparticle monolayer coatings after washing procedures to remove low volatile PEG 200. 23-mer oligonucleotide spotted onto inkjet printed amino-modified particle layers showed homogenous and sharply defined DNA spots. Proteins (streptavidin) were suspended in glycerol-based ink and printed on epoxy-silanized glass and kept their bioactivity after this printing procedure.