4.8 Article

Direct Color Observation of Light-Driven Molecular Conformation-Induced Stress

Journal

SMALL METHODS
Volume 6, Issue 2, Pages -

Publisher

WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH
DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202101283

Keywords

2D mapping; color changes; image analysis; mechanochromic cantilevers; molecular conformational changes; surface stress

Funding

  1. MCIN/AEI [DPI2015-68197-R, RTI2018-096786-B-I00]
  2. ERDF A way of making Europe
  3. SENESCYT [CIBAE-023-2014]
  4. Agencia per la Competitivitat de l'Empresa (ACCI) [TECSPR19-1-0021]
  5. H2020 Marie Skodowska-Curie actions of the European Union [801342]

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This study demonstrates a mechanical imaging approach based on low-stiffness cantilevers, which can monitor and quantify molecular conformational changes with high sensitivity and spatial resolution, suitable for monitoring molecular changes.
Although usually complex to handle, nanomechanical sensors are exceptional, label-free tools for monitoring molecular conformational changes, which makes them of paramount importance in understanding biomolecular interactions. Herein, a simple and inexpensive mechanical imaging approach based on low-stiffness cantilevers with structural coloration (mechanochromic cantilevers (MMC)) is demonstrated, able to monitor and quantify molecular conformational changes with similar sensitivity to the classical optical beam detection method of cantilever-based sensors (approximate to 4.6 x 10(-3) N m(-1)). This high sensitivity is achieved by using a white light and an RGB camera working in the reflection configuration. The sensor performance is demonstrated by monitoring the UV-light induced reversible conformational changes of azobenzene molecules coating. The trans-cis isomerization of the azobenzene molecules induces a deflection of the cantilevers modifying their diffracted color, which returns to the initial state by cis-trans relaxation. Interestingly, the mechanical imaging enables a simultaneous 2D mapping of the response thus enhancing the spatial resolution of the measurements. A tight correlation is found between the color output and the cantilever's deflection and curvature angle (sensitivities of 5 x 10(-3) Hue mu m(-1) and 1.5 x 10(-1) Hue (degrees)(-1)). These findings highlight the suitability of low-stiffness MMC as an enabling technology for monitoring molecular changes with unprecedented simplicity, high-throughput capability, and functionalities.

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