PAN fibers are characterized by having a large surface-to-volume ratio and small pores, which are beneficial for applications in filtration and specific molecular detection systems. Naturally, larger items are filtered, and a lower ratio between specific and nonspecific binding is expected since small pores do not allow larger elements to penetrate through membranes; thus, nonspecific binding is enhanced. We prepared and tested fiber membranes (diameter cca 700 nm) functionalized with a specific antibody to prove that even microscopic systems such as bacteria could be specifically identified. In addition, we established a methodology that enabled the effective binding of bacteria in not only an aqueous environment but also air. Our data clearly prove that even large systems such as bacteria could be specifically identified by fiber membranes surface-functionalized with a specific antibody. This research opens the door to the construction of biosensors for the fast, inexpensive, and sensitive identification of airborne bacterial contaminants and other airborne pollutants.

Department of Biophysics 2nd Faculty of Medicine Charles University Prague Prague Czech Republic

Department of Medical Chemistry and Biomedical Biochemistry 2nd Faculty of Medicine and Faculty Hospital Motol Charles University Prague Prague Czech Republic

Department of Natural Sciences Faculty of Biomedical Engineering Czech Technical University Prague Kladno Czech Republic

Institute of Physics of Charles University Faculty of Mathematics and Physics Charles University Prague Prague Czech Republic

Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings Czech Technical University Prague Bustehrad Czech Republic

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