Lectin Biosensing Using Digital Analysis of Ru(II)-Glycodendrimers

A novel, digital, single-operation analytical method to study glycodendrimer-lectin interactions is described. Robust, highly fluorescent derivatives of tris(bipyridine)ruthenieum(II) ([Ru(bipy)(3)](2+)) bearing 2, 4, 6, or 18 mannose or galactose units were designed to perform molecular logic operations. Inputs for these systems were pH, N,N-4,4'-bis(benzyl-2-boronic acid)bipyridinium dibromide, and different lectins (concanavalin A, Galantus nivalis agglutinin, and asialoglycoprotein). The relative change in fluorescence quantum yield of the Ru(II)-glycodendrimers served as output. Together, the fluorescent emission readout, the logic analysis of the photoinduced electron transfer, and the optical behavior provide a single-step method to quickly screen a glycodendrimer library and select the best dendrimer model for studying carbohydrate-lectin interactions.