The QCM-D Technique for Probing Biomacromolecular Recognition Reactions

Abstract

In recent years there has been an exponential growth in scientific reports in which the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique plays a key role in elucidating various aspects of biomacromolecular recognition reactions. In this short overview, the key steps in the development of a special variant of the QCM technique, generally named quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), are summarized. The key feature of the QCM-D technique, in comparison with the traditional variant, is that, in addition to changes in resonance frequency, f, it also provides simultaneous measurements of changes in energy dissipation, D, induced upon interfacial reactions. Although these two parameters can be measured in various ways, focus is herein put on a means to obtain temporal variations in f and D by probing the decay of the crystal’s oscillation after a rapid excitation close to the resonance frequency. By highlighting studies focusing on (i) DNA immobilization and subsequent hybridization, (ii) supported cell membrane mimics, and (iii) more complex situations, such as systems displaying film resonance behavior, we highlight both technical and theoretical aspects that have been essential for the increasing popularity of the QCM-D technique. Hence, far from all existing literature will be covered, and this contribution should therefore be read as a brief overview, rather than a comprehensive review, focusing on key components responsible for the high potential of the QCM-D technique to contribute to biointerface science in general, and the fields of research devoted to primarily biomacromolecular interactions in particular.