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R. Hager, A. Arnold, E. Sevcsik, G. Schütz, S. Howorka:
"Tunable DNA Hybridization Enables Spatially and Temporally Controlled Surface-Anchoring of Biomolecular Cargo";
Langmuir, 34 (2018), 15021 - 15027.

The controlled immobilization of biomolecules
onto surfaces is relevant in biosensing and cell biological research.
Spatial control is achieved by surface-tethering molecules in
micro- or nanoscale patterns. Yet, there is an increasing demand
for temporal control over how long biomolecular cargo stays
immobilized until released into the medium. Here, we present a
DNA hybridization-based approach to reversibly anchor biomolecular
cargo onto micropatterned surfaces. Cargo is linked to
a DNA oligonucleotide that hybridizes to a sequence-complementary,
surface-tethered strand. The cargo is released from the
substrate by the addition of an oligonucleotide that disrupts the
duplex interaction via toehold-mediated strand displacement. The unbound tether strand can be reloaded. The generic strategy
is implemented with small-molecule or protein cargo, varying DNA sequences, and multiple surface patterning routes. The
approach may be used as a tool in biological research to switch membrane proteins from a locally fixed to a free state, or in
biosensing to shed biomolecular receptors to regenerate the sensor surface.