ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Immobilization in biotechnology and biorecognition: from macro- to nanoscale systems

Marek Bučko, Danica Mislovičová, Jozef Nahálka, Alica Vikartovská, Jana Šefčovičová, Jaroslav Katrlík, Ján Tkáč, Peter Gemeiner, Igor Lacík, Vladimír Štefuca, Milan Polakovič, Michal Rosenberg, Martin Rebroš, Daniela Šmogrovičová, and Juraj Švitel

Institute of Chemistry, Centre for Glycomics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia

E-mail: Peter.Gemeiner@savba.sk

Abstract: Biological molecules such as enzymes, cells, antibodies, lectins, peptide aptamers, and cellular components in an immobilized form are extensively used in biotechnology, in biorecognition and in many medicinal applications. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the developments in new immobilization materials, techniques, and their practical applications previously developed by the authors. A detailed overview of several immobilization materials and technologies is given here, including bead cellulose, encapsulation in ionotropic gels and polyelectrolyte complexes, and various immobilization protocols applied onto surfaces. In addition, the review summarises the screening and design of an immobilization protocol, practical applications of immobilized biocatalysts in the industrial production of metabolites, monitoring, and control of fermentation processes, preparation of electrochemical/optical biosensors and biofuel cells.

Keywords: immobilization – biocatalyst – biosensor – biorecognition – macroscale – nanoscale

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.2478/s11696-012-0226-3

Chemical Papers 66 (11) 983–998 (2012)