The analysis of antigen-antibody interactions on protein microarrays

The probing proteins were immobilized onto the surface of glass slides modified by aldehyde. The target proteins were labeled by either Cy5 or Cy3 for specific cases. A high-precision robot was designed to print protein samples onto glass slides to form the microarrays. The activity and the specific affinity interaction of the proteins were not compromised after fluorescent dye labeling process and covalent immobilization. To detect the antigen, arrays of antibodies attached to the glass substrate was used. Likewise, for the assessment of the property of antibody, antigen-based array was utilized. The concentration of the proteins immobilized onto slides is an important factor fur determining the sensitivity in detecting the interaction of antigen-antibody. The interactions of goat-anti-mouse and goat-anti-rabbit antibodies with their corresponding antigens were proven specific as revealed by the results generated from the present protein arrays.