Carboxylated Latexes for Covalent Coupling Antibodies, I

polymerization are negatively charged in a broad pH range The aim of the present work is to prepare and characterize of 3–10 (4), but their surface charge density is extremely carboxylated latexes (CLs) in order to bind antibodies covalently high (4). At a low ionic strength the antibody cannot peneand efficiently. Carboxylated latexes were prepared by surfactanttrate the double layer of the particle and thus, no coupling free emulsion polymerization using an azo-initiator, which prooccurs (11). The carboxylated latexes prepared by an azovides carboxyl end groups on the latex surface directly. Two latexes initiator have a rigid interface and the surface charge density were characterized using different techniques: particle size by is significantly lower. These types of particles have been electron microscopy and photocorrelation spectroscopy, surface used less in covalently coupling antibodies and antigens to charge density by conductimetric and potentiometric titrations, polymer carriers in the development of particle-enhanced and electrophoretic mobility versus pH and ionic strength (KBr). The colloidal stability of both latexes shows that these carboxylated optical immunoassays. latexes can be used for biomedical applications. Activation of carIn this paper, we report the preparation of surfactant-free boxyl end groups was performed using the carbodiimide method, carboxylated polymer latexes which enables the covalent and the best conditions for covalent coupling of IgG were obtained. coupling of antibodies with a high efficiency rate. The elecq 1995 Academic Press, Inc. trokinetic properties and colloidal stability of these latexes