Identification of Critical Surface Parameters Driving Lectin-Mediated Capture of Bacteria from Solution

Lectin-functional interfaces are useful for isolation of bacteria from solution because they are low-cost and allow nondestructive, reversible capture. This study provides a systematic investigation of physical and chemical surface parameters that influence bacteria capture over lectin-functionalized polymer interfaces and then applies these findings to construct surfaces with significantly enhanced bacteria capture. The designer block copolymer poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-block-poly(vinyldimethyl azlactone) was used as a lectin attachment layer, and lectin coupling into the polymer film through azlactone-lectin coupling reactions was first characterized. Here, experimental parameters including polymer areal chain density, lectin molecular weight, and lectin coupling buffer were systematically varied to identify parameters driving highest azlactone conversions and corresponding lectin surface densities. To introduce physical nanostructures into the attachment layer, nanopillar arrays (NPAs) of varied heights (300 and 2100 nm) were then used to provide an underlying surface template for the functional polymer layer. Capture of Escherichia coli on lectin-polymer surfaces coated over both flat and NPA surfaces was then investigated. For flat polymer interfaces, bacteria were detected on the surface after incubation at a solution concentration of 10³ cfu/mL, and a corresponding detection limit of 1.7 × 10³ cfu/mL was quantified. This detection limit was 1 order of magnitude lower than control lectin surfaces functionalized with standard, carbodiimide coupling chemistry. NPA surfaces containing 300 nm tall pillars further improved the detection limit to 2.1 × 10² cfu/mL, but also reduced the viability of captured cells. Finally, to investigate the impact of cell surface parameters on capture, we used Agrobacterium tumefaciens cells genetically modified to allow manipulation of exopolysaccharide adhesin production levels. Statistical analysis of surface capture levels revealed that lectin surface density was the primary factor driving capture, as opposed to exopolysaccharide adhesin expression. These findings emphasize the critical importance of the synthetic interface and the development of surfaces that combine high lectin densities with tailored physical features to drive high levels of capture. These insights will aid in design of biofunctional interfaces with physicochemical surface properties favorable for capture and isolation of bacteria cells from solutions.