Towards improving ELISA surfaces: SPR assessment of polystyrene modification efficiency for promoting immobilization of biomolecules

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a widely used diagnostic technique. In ELISA, detection of the target biomolecules is achieved through selective capture by appropriate antibody immobilized on a solid support. Our study addresses the application of surface plasmon resonance to an assessment of the polystyrene modification efficiency for promoting adsorption of biomolecules. A method facilitating the development of advanced immobilization strategies for biofunctionalization of polystyrene surface was evolved. The proposed approach uses formation of a thin layer of polystyrene over the SPR chip surface, thus enabling a detailed characterization of biomolecular interactions at the polystyrene surface. [Display omitted] •A wet-chemical oxidation of polystyrene surface with ammonium persulfate creates chemically active functional groups.•Deposition of thin polystyrene films over the SPR chip surface enables real-time tracing the adsorption kinetics.•Based on the SPR technique, immobilization and interactions of biomolecules on a modified polystyrene surface were monitored.