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I am conducting a biochemistry-related experiment and I have been unable to understand a step which is commonly performed. My aim in this step is to apply a PEG (Polyethylene glycol) silane layer.

After immersing indium tin oxide (ITO) slides in a PEG-concentration, the slides are incubated for 18 hours at a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius.

Can you tell me why the incubation is performed? And why for 18 hours and at 60 degrees Celsius?

Thanks a lot in advance!!

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  • $\begingroup$ please clarify the experimental aim and procedure. And please expand the abbreviations at least once. $\endgroup$
    – WYSIWYG
    Commented Apr 19, 2013 at 11:30
  • $\begingroup$ plus.. this question doesn't come under the domain of biology. try chemistry SE if your actual question doesn't involve any biological principle $\endgroup$
    – WYSIWYG
    Commented Apr 19, 2013 at 11:32

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The binding of proteins (and cells) to glass (or silicon) surfaces can be prevented by coating the glass with polyethylene glycol (PEG) groups. PEG-silane is a reagent used to create this coating.

PEG-silane (the image shows a methoxy- version) (image taken from here; no connection) will coat glass surfaces because the silane portion (right hand end of the structure shown) will react with -OH groups on the glass surface.

I can't help with the part of the question about time and temperature of incubation, but it seems longer and hotter than protocols I have seen. Perhaps the indium tin oxide (ITO) coating on the slides has something to do with it?

enter image description here

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    $\begingroup$ Thanks a lot for your response Alan! What I do not understand yet from your answer is: where do the OH-groups on the glass surface come from? $\endgroup$
    – student441
    Commented Apr 19, 2013 at 14:22
  • $\begingroup$ Google Images: glass chemical structure $\endgroup$
    – Gianpaolo R
    Commented Apr 19, 2013 at 14:44
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please go through the journal: S. Jo, K. Park, Biomaterials 21 (2000) 605-616. The time and temperature probably helps to hydrolyze, formation of hydrogen bond and covalent bond formation. Hope this paper will help you. Good luck!

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