Microscopic characterization of Langmuir–Blodgett films incorporating biosynthetically lipid-tagged antibody

The immobilization of antibody molecules is a key step in fabrication of immunosensors. We have exploited biosynthetic lipid-tagging to provide a stable and oriented immobilization of antibody molecules on lipid membranes. In the present study, we prepared lipid-tagged antibody/phospholipid monolayers using Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) technique, and direct spreading from immunoliposomes. The formation and properties of the monolayers and the kinetics of antigen binding were studied by using fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results indicate formation of a stable film which was able to interact specifically with the antigen. The antigen binding was accompanied by (micro) aggregation of the antibody–antigen complexes. This approach may be suitable for immunosensor applications.