Investigation of protein adsorption using plasma treatment for protein chips

For reliable protein chip performance, a sufficient level of proteins must be immobilized in a specific area on the surface of the chip. In this research, a plasma-polymerized hexamethyldisiloxane (PPHMDSO) thin film was deposited on the surface of a glass slide. The PPHMDSO-coated glass slide was modified by an additional oxygen plasma treatment with the patterned mask placed on the PPHMDSO-coated glass slide. The deposited PPHMDSO was hydrophobic and did not show adsorbed proteins, and the O-2-plasma-treated areas of PPHMDSO were hydrophilic. The proteins were strictly adsorbed and immobilized on the patterned O-2-plasma-treated areas of PPHMDSO, providing a more efficient way of fabricating high-density protein chips. The change in the O-2-plasma-treated PPHMDSO surface was analyzed, and a possible reason for selective protein adsorption is suggested.