Evaluation of the binding force between a biotinylated microbubble and a streptavidin-coated surface by ultrasound radiation

For molecular imaging using ultrasound, targeted ultrasound contrast agents are used that consist of encapsulated gas microbubbles. For this application, the strength of adhesion between a microbubble and a cell surface is an important factor. This research focuses on the evaluation of the binding force between a streptavidin-coated surface, which mimics a cell surface, and biotinylated lipid coated microbubbles by detaching the microbubbles with ultrasound radiation force. Our results show that ultrasound radiation force can be used to determine the binding force between a targeted microbubble and a surface.