Coupling purification and in situ immobilization process of monoclonal antibodies to clenbuterol for immunosensor application

Clenbuterol (CL), which promotes the growth of muscular tissue and the reduction of body fat in pigs and cattle, has been confirmed to be a potential hazard to human health. In this study, a monoclonal antibody to clenbuterol (CL mAb) from a hybridoma culture supernatant was purified by an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) at different polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentrations, PEG molecular weights, pH values, and NaCl concentrations. Then the CL mAb was immobilized in situ by directly adding polystyrene microspheres (PSMSs) into a PEG phase containing CL mAb. Using the immobilized antibody, an immunosensor was constructed to detect the CL residues in pork samples. The results showed that using an ATPS composed of 15% (w/w) PEG6000, 15% (w/w) phosphate, and 15% (w/w) NaCl at pH 8.0, the partition coefficient was 7.24, the activity recovery was 87.86%, and the purification fold was 2.88. The PEG–CL mAb–PSMS retained approximately 98% of its initial activity after 30-ml phosphate buffer (PBS) washings. After 30 days of storage, the CL mAb–PSMS lost nearly 75% of its activity, whereas the PEG–CL mAb–PSMS retained as much as 95% of its initial activity. Furthermore, the constructed immunosensor obtained recoveries of 90.5 to 102.6% when applied to pork samples spiked with CL.     

Reagentless amperometric immunosensor for human chorionic gonadotrophin based on direct electrochemistry of horseradish peroxidase

A novel amperometric immunosensor for determination of human serum chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) was constructed by immobilization of HCG with titania sol-gel on a glassy carbon electrode and the direct electrochemistry of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labeled to HCG antibody (HRP-anti-HCG). The morphologies of the HCG membrane were characterized to be chemically clean, porous and homogeneous. HRP-anti-HCG was functionally conjugated with the immobilized HCG after incubation in phosphate buffer (PBS) containing HRP-anti-HCG. A direct electron transfer of HRP with a rate constant of 1.35+/-0.40 s(-1) was observed at the HRP-anti-HCG-HCG/titania sol-gel membrane modified electrode in 0.1 M PBS pH 7.0. With a competitive mechanism the differential pulse voltammetric peak current of the immobilized HRP decreased linearly with an increasing HCG concentration from 2.5 to 12.5 mIU/ml in the incubation solution. The HCG immunosensor showed a detection limit of 1.4 mIU/ml, a good accuracy and acceptable precision and reproducibility with an intra-assay CV of 4.7% at 5.0 mIU/ml and an inter-assay precision of 8.1% obtained at 10 mIU/ml. The biosensor displayed a good stability in a storage period of 30 days.     

Adsorption equilibrium in immuno-affinity chromatography with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies

The effects of pH, ionic strength, anion species, and antibody concentration on the adsorption equilibrium between immobilized antibodies and antigens were studied by use of anti-BSA, anti-HSA, anti-BlgG, and monoclonal anti-HSA coupled to Sepharose 4B. The polyclonal antibodies possessed average binding affinities of the order of 10(8)M(-1), and the heterogeneity was accounted for by assuming a normal distribution of the free energy of antibody-antigen combination. The monoclonal antibody, on the other hand, showed a homogeneous affinity of the Langmuir type. Bound antigens could be eluted by lowering pH or adding a chaotropic anion, and their purity was very high. The antibody ligand was sufficiently stable for repeated use.     

An immunosensor for ferritin based on agarose hydrogel

A novel electrochemical immunosensor for determination of ferritin in serum has been proposed. The immunosensor was prepared by immobilizing ferritin antibody (FeAb) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) based on agarose hydrogel. The modification procedure of the immunosensor was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The effects of amount of FeAb, incubation time and temperature on the immunosensor were explored to provide optimum analytical performance. The determination of ferritin was based on the change in DPV response before and after the antibody (Ab)-antigen (Ag) reaction. Tests result indicated that FeAb in the device microenvironment had biological activity. The detection limit for ferritin was 1.5 x 10(-5) g l(-1) and the linear range was 5-50 x 10(-5) g l(-1) with a correlation coefficient of 0.996. The storage stability was acceptable in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution at 4 degrees C for 10 days. The proposed immunosensor provides a new promising method for the clinical immunoassay of ferritin.     

Novel renewable immunosensors based on temperature-sensitive PNIPAAm bioconjugates

A novel renewable immunosensor was created comprising a temperature-controlled surface composed of poly(n-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)-antibody conjugates that could reversibly bind the antigen. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the corresponding antibody (anti-BSA) were chosen as a model antibody-antigen system to demonstrate the concept. The thermally responsive PNIPAAm conjugated to anti-BSA displayed a controllable conformation change between an expanded and a collapsed form, below and above its characteristic phase transition temperature, i.e. low critical solution temperature (LCST). This showed a remarkable change in the bioaffinity of the conjugate for BSA. Thus, a renewable anti-BSA surface was generated for re-binding of the target antigen at the thermally controllable PNIPAAm-anti-BSA conjugated surface. The temperature-controlling strategy resulted in the regeneration of immunosensors on which immobilized anti-BSA antibodies retained their activity and specificity for more than 30 reproducible assays. The level of dissociation reached 89%, which is comparable with established recovery methods, while offering easer handing. The controlled binding and dissociation were monitored by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), confocal fluorescence, native electrophoresis, laser-induced fluorescence, and electrochemical impedance methods.     

A SPR-based immunosensor for the detection of isoproturon

The proof of principle of a reusable surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based immunosensor for the monitoring of isoproturon (IPU), a selective and systemic herbicide, is presented. The detecting rat monoclonal anti-isoproturon antibody (mAb IOC 7E1) was reversibly immobilized through the use of a capture mouse anti-rat (kappa-chain) monoclonal antibody (mAb TIB 172), which was covalently immobilized on the sensor chip surface. Such strategy features a controlled binding of the captured detecting antibody as well as facilitates the surface regeneration. The capture of the anti-IPU mAb by the antibody (TIB 172) coated sensor surface could be carried out up to 120 times (immobilization/regeneration cycles) without any evidence of activity loss. With a high test midpoint and a low associated SPR signal, the direct detection format was shown to be unsuitable for the routine analysis of isoproturon. However, the limit of detection (LOD) could be easily enhanced by using a strategy based on a surface competition assay, which improved all immunosensor parameters. Moreover, the sensitivity and working range of the indirect format were found to be dependent on the surface density of the anti-IPU mAb IOC 7E1. As expected for competitive formats, the lowest surface coverage (0.5 ng/mm(2)) allowed a lower detection of the herbicide isoproturon with a calculated LOD of 0.1 microg/l, an IC(50) (50% inhibition) of 5.3+/-0.6 microg/l, and a working range (20-80% inhibition) of 1.3-16.3 microg/l.     

Use of immobilized antibodies in investigating acid alpha-glucosidase in urine in relation to Pompe's disease.

(1) A simple method is described for the isolation of the lysosomal enzyme, acid alpha-glucosidase (alpha-D-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.20) from normal human liver. Antibodies raised against the purified enzyme were immobilized by covalent coupling to Sepharose 4B. (2) Acid alpha-glucosidase can be quantitatively removed from normal urine by incubating with an excess of immobilized antibody. With p-nitrophenyl-alpha-glucoside as substrate, acid alpha-glucosidase accounts for 91 +/- 3% of the total alpha-glucosidase activity at pH 4.0 IN Normal urine. (3) In urine from a patient with the infantile form of Pompe's disease ('acid maltase deficiency'), no alpha-glucosidase activity could be removed by the immobilized antibody, in agreement with the fact that acid alpha-glucosidase is absent in these patients. (4) In urine from patients with the late-onset form of Pompe's disease, 46 +/- 11% of the alpha-glucosidase activity at pH 4.0 can be removed by incubation with immobilized antibodies, indicating that residual acid alpha-glucosidase activity is present in urine of these patients. The residual acid alpha-glucosidase activity amounts to about 5% of that in the urine of control persons. (5) If acid alpha-glucosidase is adsorbed to immobilized antibodies, the activity can still be measured with p-nitrophenyl-alpha-glucoside as substrate. The Km for p-nitrophenyl-alpha-glucoside is not significantly changed by adsorbing purified acid alpha-glucosidase to immobilized antibodies. (6) The properties of acid alpha-glucosidase from urine of patients with late-onset Pompe's disease were compared with those of acid alpha-glucosidase from normal urine, both adsorbed to immobilized antiserum. The pH-activity profile of the enzyme from urine of patients with late-onset Pompe's disease can not be distinguished from that of the normal urinary enzyme. The Km for p-nitro-phenyl-alpha-glucoside of the two enzymes is identical, both at pH 4 and 3. The titration curves of the two enzymes with immobilized antibodies are identical.     

Effect of methanol on the interaction of monoclonal antibody with free and immobilized atrazine studied using the resonant mirror-based biosensor

The interaction of monoclonal anti-atrazine antibody D6F3 with free and immobilized atrazine was studied using the resonant mirror-based optical biosensor system IAsys. The binding of antibody to atrazine immobilized on silanized surface through albumin spacer was studied in the presence of methanol. The highest affinity was observed in 10% methanol, the kinetic equilibrium association constant KA was 1.16 x 10(9) mol-1 l compared to 4.3 x 10(8) mol-1 l determined in water. The surface binding capacity was 2-fold lower in the presence of methanol compared to aqueous buffer solution. The kinetic rate constants were significantly improved with low contents of methanol; the fastest association and slowest dissociation occurred at 5 and 10% methanol, respectively. The formation of immunocomplexes was observed even in the presence of 50% methanol. To avoid possible disturbing effects resulting from the immobilization of atrazine, the interaction of free atrazine and antibody was studied using the competitive procedure. The determined values of KA were 9.35, 0.73 and 410 x 10(6) mol-1 l for interactions carried out in 10, 30 and 50% methanol, respectively. For practical determination of atrazine using this antibody, the content of 10% methanol in the assay mixture seems to be the best choice. Thirty percent methanol resulted in the lowest affinity; 50% methanol provides the highest affinity, but much smaller signal is measured. The affinity biosensor system IAsys appeared to be a suitable, rapid and convenient tool for studies of binding interactions in the presence of organic solvents.     

Affinity enrichment of bovine lactoferrin in whey

Bovine lactoferrin was enriched in various whey samples by affinity chromatography using immobilized gangliosides. Bovine gangliosides were isolated from fresh buttermilk using a combination of ultrafiltration and organic extraction. Isolated gangliosides were covalently immobilized onto controlled-pore glass beads. The immobilized matrix contained 66 micrograms of gangliosides per gram of beads. After loading the matrix with reconstituted whey protein isolate (WPI) or whey protein concentrate (WPC), the matrix was washed with sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7) followed by sodium acetate buffer (pH 4) before elution of lactoferrin with 1 M NaCl in sodium acetate buffer. From the intensities of the protein bands in SDS-PAGE, lactoferrin constituted a minimum of 40% of the total protein in the salt eluted sample. WPI, pretrated by heating and ultrafiltration, showed the highest lactoferrin purity among protein sources, while WPI (10% wt/vol) showed the highest recovery. These results show that immobilized gangliosides can be used to enrich the lactoferrin content of whey.     

Effect of organic solvents on the conformation and interaction of catalase and anticatalase antibodies

Effect of six organic solvents—methanol, ethanol, propanol, dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF), and glycerol on the conformation and interaction of catalase and anticatalase antibodies were studied with the aim of identifying the solvents in which antigen–antibody interactions are strong. The antigen binding activity of the antibodies in the various organic solvents increased in the following order: ethanol < methanol < no organic solvent < propanol < DMSO < DMF < glycerol. The structure of both the antibody and the antigen molecule was affected significantly in 40% concentration of the organic solvents used in this study. Catalase activity was inhibited in DMSO. However, the enzyme was activated in DMF upto about 50% of its concentration.     

Immobilization of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase by non-covalent binding to specific antibodies and Fab-fragments coupled to Sepharose]

Rabbit antibodies to rat skeletal muscle glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, as well as monovalent Fab fragments of these antibodies were coupled to CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B. Rat skeletal muscle glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was then immobilized on a matrix by non-covalent binding to specific antibodies. Immobilized enzyme retains approximately 90% catalytic activity of the soluble dehydrogenase; pH optimum of activity and the Km value observed are changed as compared to the enzyme in solution. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase immobilized on specific antibodies is shown to undergo adenine nucleotide-induced dissociation into dimers. The immobilized dimeric form of the enzyme thus obtained is catalytically active and capable of reassociating with the dimers of apoglyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase added in solution to the suspension of Sepharose.     

Magnetic beads-based enzymatic spectrofluorometric assay for rapid and sensitive detection of antibody against ApxIVA of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae

In this paper, a simple, easily-operated and enzyme-amplified fluorescence immunoassay method using magnetic particles for the detection of antibody against Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) has been presented. The A protein of APP Repeats-in-Toxin IV (ApxIVA) with high specificity to the APP species was immobilized onto the magnetic bead surfaces. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP), which can catalyze the substrate 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (p-HPA), generating fluorescent bi-p, p'-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (DBDA), was selected as an enzymatic-amplified tracer. The ApxIVA antibody was detected for the presence of APP infection by measuring the fluorescence intensity of DBDA. Under optimal conditions, the calibration plot obtained for standard positive serum was approximately linear within the dilution range 1:160-1:5120. The limit of detection (LOD) for the assay was 1:10240, considerably lower than that of ApxIVA-ELISA (1:320) (S/N=3). A series of repeatability measurements of using 1:320-fold diluted standard positive serum gave reproducible results with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 4.8% (n=11). The ability of the immunosensor to analyze clinical samples was tested on porcine sera. The immunosensor yielded an efficiency of 89.7%, sensitivity of 90.9% and specificity of 89.3% compared with ApxIVA-ELISA.     

Investigation of osteoprotegerin interactions with ligands and antibodies using piezoelectric biosensors

Osteoprotegerin (OPG, osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor) is a secretory glycoprotein involved as a soluble factor in the regulation of bone mass. OPG and its ligand (RANKL) levels in serum indicate the osteoclast formation activity. Alterations of the RANKL/OPG concentration ratio may be the cause of bone loss in many imbalances including osteoporosis, hypercalcaemia, metastatic osteolytic lesions and rheumatic bone degradation. The interactions of OPG with several antibodies were studied using the piezoelectric quartz crystal sensor. Monoclonal anti-OPG antibodies (5H3, 4E6H9 and OPG1.3) were immobilised on the sensing surface modified with covalently attached monolayer of protein A. Binding of both OPG standard and recombinant OPGFc chimeric protein was followed in real time. All antibodies were able to bind OPG and OPGFc, though in the case of MAb 4E6H9 the immunocomplexes dissociated quickly in the absence of OPG. Alternatively, biorecognition layers with RANKL were used. Two versions of the piezoelectric sensor for OPG were developed. The direct immunosensor was based on the antibody 5H3 and the affinity sensor employed the immobilised RANKL. The RANKL sensor exhibited poor reproducibility of results. For the immunosensor, the measuring range was 1.2-35 U/L of OPG. One analysis was completed within 15 min; the sensors were used repeatedly using regeneration with glycine buffer (pH 2.0). The developed immunosensor seems promising for rapid determination of osteoprotegerin in serum.     

Optimizing Immobilization and Stabilization of Feruloyl Esterase from Humicola Insolens and its Application for the Feruloylation of Oligosaccharides

Feruloyl esterase (FAE)-catalyzed esterification reaction is as a potential route for the biosynthesis of feruloylated oligosaccharides as functional ingredients. Immobilization of FAE from Humicola insolens on metal chelate-epoxy supports was investigated. The study of effects of immobilization parameters using response surface methodology revealed the significance of enzyme/support ratio (3.25-29.25 mg/g support), immobilization time (14-38 h), buffer molarity (0.27-1.25 M) and pH (4.0-8.0). The interactions between enzyme-to-support ratio/buffer molarity and enzyme-to-support ratio/pH were found to be critical for the modulation of the immobilization activity yield and the retention of specific activity, respectively. Optimum conditions for FAE-immobilization on metal chelate Sepabeads® EC-EP R were identified to be 22.75 mg FAE/g support, pH of 5.0, 27.7 h and buffer molarity of 0.86 M. At these conditions, an activity yield of 82.4%, a specific activity retention of 143.4%, and an enzyme activity of 395.4 μmol/min. g support were achieved. Further incubation of the immobilized FAE at pH 10.0 improved its thermostability. Increasing the pore size of the epoxy support improved the retention of FAE hydrolytic activity and the esterifying efficiency of the immobilized biocatalyst. Optimally immobilized and stabilized FAE on metal chelate-epoxy support retained up to 92.9% of the free enzyme feruloylation efficiency to xylooligosaccharides..     

Continuous-flow fluoro-immunosensor for paclitaxel measurement

A fluorescence-based continuous-flow immunosensor for sensitive, precise, accurate and fast determination of paclitaxel was developed. The sensor utilizes anti-paclitaxel antibody immobilized through its Fc region and crosslinked by dimethylpimelimidate to protein A attached covalently onto the silanized inner walls of a glass capillary column followed by saturation of the paclitaxel-binding sites with rhodamine-labeled paclitaxel. The assay is based on the displacement and detection downstream of the rhodamine-labeled paclitaxel, by a flow-through spectrofluorometer, as a result of the competition with paclitaxel introduced as a pulse into the stream of carrier buffer flowing through the system. The peak height of the fluorescence intensity profile of the displaced rhodamine-labeled paclitaxel was directly proportional to the concentration of paclitaxel applied and was a function of the carrier buffer flow rate. The sensitivity of the immunosensor response ranged from 0.31 relative fluorescence units (RFU)/ng/ml at a flow rate 0.1 ml/min to 0.52 RFU/ng/ml at 1 ml/min, while the lower detection limit ranged from 1 ng/ml at 0.1 ml/min to 4 ng/ml at 1 ml/min. The immunosensor response was very reproducible (RSD=4.8%; n=10) and linear up to 100 ng/ml. The assay time ranged from 2 min at 1 ml/min to 8 min at 0.1 ml/min. A technique developed to resaturate the antigen binding sites of the immobilized antibody with rhodamine-labeled paclitaxel was successful in regenerating the capillary column without affecting its performance, thus enhancing the economic viability of the immunosensor. The immunosensor was successfully applied for the determination of paclitaxel in human plasma.     

Kinetic characterization of the interaction of the Z-fragment of protein A with mouse-IgG3 in a volume in chemical space

The kinetic rate parameters for the interaction between a single domain analogue of staphylococcal protein A (Z) and a mouse-IgG3 monoclonal antibody (MAb) were measured in Hepes buffer with different chemical additives. Five buffer ingredients (pH, NaCl, DMSO, EDTA, and KSCN) were varied simultaneously in 16 experiments following a statistical experimental plan. The 16 buffers thus spanned a volume in chemical space. A mathematical model, using data from the buffer composition, was developed and used to predict apparent kinetic parameters in five new buffers within the spanned volume. Association and dissociation parameters were measured in the new buffers, and these agreed with the predicted values, indicating that the model was valid within the spanned volume. The pattern of variation of the kinetic parameters in relation to buffer composition was different for association and dissociation, such that pH influenced both association and dissociation and NaCl influenced only dissociation. This indicated that the recognition mechanism (association) and the stability of the formed complex (dissociation) involve different binding forces, which can be further investigated by kinetic studies in systematically varied buffers.     

Production and characterization of four monoclonal antibodies against porcine pancreatic colipase

Four monoclonal antibodies directed against porcine colipase have been generated by hybridization of myeloma cells with spleen cells of BALB/c immunized mice. Antibodies were screened by binding to immobilized colipase in a solid-phase assay. Monoclonal antibodies were purified by affinity chromatography on colipase coupled to Sepharose. All monoclonal antibodies are of the IgG1 class with high affinity for the antigen. The dissociation constant of the complex formed in solution between porcine colipase and antibody varied from 1.1 X 10(-10) M to 1.8 X 10(-8) M. Epitope specificity was studied for each antibody and in pairs with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results indicate that the four monoclonal antibodies react with at least three different antigenic regions of colipase. Finally, three monoclonal antibodies were found to be potent inhibitors of colipase activity. Antiporcine monoclonal antibodies appear to be suitable probes for studying the lipid affinity site of the protein cofactor of pancreatic lipase.     

Effects of dimethyl sulfoxide on catalysis in Escherichia coli F1-ATPase.

(1) Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) markedly inhibited the Vmax of multisite ATPase activity in Escherichia coli F1-ATPase at concentrations greater than 30% (v/v). Vmax/KM was reduced by 2 orders of magnitude in 40% (v/v) DMSO at pH 7.5, primarily due to reduction of Vmax. The inhibition was rapidly reversed on dilution into aqueous buffer. (2) KdATP at the first, high-affinity catalytic site was increased 1500-fold from 2.3 x 10(-10) to 3.4 x 10(-7) M in 40% DMSO at pH 7.5, whereas KdADP was increased 3.2-fold from 8.8 to 28 microM. This suggests that the high-affinity catalytic site presents a hydrophobic environment for ATP binding in native enzyme, that there is a significant difference between the conformation for ADP binding as opposed to ATP binding, and that the ADP-binding conformation is more hydrophilic. (3) Rate constants for hydrolysis and resynthesis of bound ATP in unisite catalysis were slowed approximately 10-fold by 40% DMSO; however, the equilibrium between bound Pi/bound ATP was little changed. The reduction in catalysis rates may well be related to the large increase in KdATP (less constrained site). (4) Significant Pi binding to E. coli F1 could not be detected either in 40% DMSO or in aqueous buffer using a centrifuge column procedure. (5) We infer, on the basis of the measured constants KaATP, K2 (hydrolysis/resynthesis of ATP), k+3 (Pi release), and KdADP and from estimates of k-3 (Pi binding) that delta G for ATP hydrolysis in 40% DMSO-containing pH 7.5 buffer is between -9.2 and -16.8 kJ/mol.     

Various properties of immobilized terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase from the cattle thymus

The effects of temperature, pH, and concentration of sodium cacodylate buffer on the activity of partially purified terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase from cattle thymus immobilized on BrCN-Sepharose were studied. The enzyme retained at least 60% of the initial activity after 6 h of incubation at 30 degrees in 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.2 in the absence of substrate. Short-term activation of the enzyme during incubation was noticed. The maximum activity of the immobilized preparations was observed in 240-280 mM sodium cacodylate buffer in the reaction mixture, pH 7.5-7.9 at 37-40 degrees.     

Bioelectrocatalytic signaling from immunosensors with back-filling immobilization of glucose oxidase on biorecognition surfaces

We report a novel method of electrochemical signaling from antigen-antibody interactions at immunoelectrodes with bioelectrocatalyzed enzymatic signal amplification. For the immunosensing surface construction, a poly(amidoamine) G4-dendrimer was employed not only as a building block for the electrode surface modification but also as a matrix for ligand functionalization. As a model biorecognition reaction, the dinitrophenyl (DNP) antigen-functionalized electrode was fabricated and an anti-DNP antibody was used. Glucose oxidase (GOX) was chosen to amplify electrochemical signal by enzymatic catalysis. The signal amplification strategy introduced in this study is based on the back-filling immobilization of biocatalytic enzyme to the immunosensor surface, circumventing the use of an enzyme-labeled antibody. The non-labeled native antibody was biospecifically bound to the immobilized ligand, and the activated enzyme (periodate-treated GOX) reacted and "back-filled" the remaining surface amine groups on the dendrimer layer by an imine formation reaction. From the bioelectrocatalyzed signal registration with the immobilized GOX, the surface density of biospecifically bound antibody could be estimated. The DNP functionalization reaction was optimized to facilitate the antibody recognition and signaling reactions, and approximately 6% displacement of surface amine to DNP was found to be an optimum. From quartz crystal microbalance measurement, immunosensing reaction timing and the surface inertness to the nonspecific biomolecular binding were tested. By changing the surface functionalization level of DNP in the calibration experiments, immunosensors exhibited different dynamic detection ranges and limits of detection, supporting the capability of parameters modulation for the immunosensors. For the anti-DNP antibody assay, the fabricated immunosensor having 65% functionalization ratio exhibited the linear detection range of 10(-4) to 0.1 g/L protein and a limit of detection around 2 x 10(-5) g/L.