JP4687144B2 - Oriented structure and method for producing the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention belongs to a technique for fixing a minute object with a desired orientation.

As an example of immobilizing minute objects, especially biological substances, by light irradiation, after placing DNA or protein on the thin film surface of a polymer (azo polymer) containing a photoresponsive azo dye, depending on the arrangement pattern by light irradiation Thus, it has been disclosed that DNA and protein are immobilized on the surface of an azopolymer (Patent Document 1). In addition, it is known to use a LB membrane or a lipid membrane to arrange a minute object with a certain directionality (also referred to as orientation).
JP 2003-329682 A

  These are intended to realize molecular orientation and molecular fixation, respectively. In order to construct a functional structure by a bottom-up method, both the orientation and fixation of a molecule having a function are important. However, no technology has yet been found to control and realize both of them simultaneously. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of controlling the orientation of a minute object and fixing it.

  The present inventors have already developed a light immobilization technique for immobilizing a minute object on a light-responsive material that causes light deformation by light irradiation. This time, the present inventors paid attention to the fact that in the photoresponsive material used in this photofixation technology, the change in the molecular structure of the photoresponsive component and the change in the molecular arrangement are caused by the light irradiation. The present inventors have found that a micro object can be fixed by controlling the orientation using the molecular structure and molecular arrangement that has been generated, and that the light can be fixed while maintaining the orientation controlled state. That is, according to the present invention, the following means are provided.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an alignment structure comprising:
A photoresponsive material containing a photoresponsive component that causes an anisotropic change in molecular structure or molecular arrangement by light; and
The following (a) and / or (b);
(A) An anisotropic molecular arrangement on the surface layer side of the responsive material,
(B) an anisotropic surface shape of the photoresponsive material;
A micro object fixed on the surface of the photoresponsive material based on
A structure is provided.

  In this aspect, the minute object may be fixed by light irradiation. In addition, (a) and / or (b) is formed in the light-irradiated region by light irradiation, and the minute object is in the light-irradiated region (a) and / or (b) ), (A) and / or (b) may be formed outside the light-irradiated region by light irradiation, and the minute object may be outside the light-irradiated region. It may be fixed on the basis of (a) and / or (b).

  In this embodiment, the micro object can have shape anisotropy and / or molecular structure anisotropy. In this aspect, the minute object may be fixed along (a) and / or (b). Furthermore, in this aspect, the surface of the photoresponsive material can have a regular uneven structure.

  In this embodiment, the micro object can be a biological material, and the biological material further contains one or more selected from proteins, nucleic acids, organelles, and cells. it can. In addition, the minute object can include the photoresponsive component.

  Furthermore, in this aspect, the photoresponsive component may be a compound having an azobenzene group, and the photoresponsive material may be a polymer material. Moreover, you may make it equip the surface layer side of the said photoresponsive material with the area | region which does not have photoresponsiveness by a photoresponsive component.

  According to the other one aspect | mode of this invention, a biofunction imitation device provided with either of these structures is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing an alignment structure,
Containing a photoresponsive component that causes an anisotropic change in molecular structure or molecular arrangement by light, and (a) and / or (b) below:
(A) An anisotropic molecular arrangement on the surface layer side of the responsive material,
(B) a supplying step of supplying a micro object to the photoresponsive material having an anisotropic surface shape of the photoresponsive material;
An interaction is generated between the micro object supplied to the photoresponsive material and the photoresponsive material, and the photoresponsiveness of the microobject is changed based on (a) and / or (b). An alignment step of aligning on the surface of the material;
A manufacturing method is provided.

  In this aspect, in the alignment step or after the alignment step, a step of irradiating the minute object with light and fixing the minute object based on (a) and / or (b) can be performed. . Moreover, in this aspect, it can have a template formation process which irradiates the said photoresponsive material with light and forms said (a) and / or (b) on the surface of the said photoresponsive material. For the light irradiation, light whose polarization direction is controlled may be used, or interference light may be used.

  In this aspect, the photoresponsive function of the photoresponsive component on the surface layer side of the photoresponsive material is reduced or eliminated in the template forming step or separately from the template forming step, or the photoresponsive component The process of removing can be implemented. Further, the step of relaxing (a) and / or (b) can be performed in the template forming step or separately from the template forming step.

The alignment structure of the present invention includes a photoresponsive material containing a photoresponsive component that causes an anisotropic change in molecular structure or molecular arrangement by light,
The following (a) and / or (b);
(A) An anisotropic molecular arrangement on the surface layer side of the responsive material,
(B) an anisotropic surface shape of the photoresponsive material;
A micro object fixed on the surface of the photoresponsive material based on
It is characterized by having.

  According to the alignment structure of the present invention, a highly selective interaction occurs between the anisotropic molecular arrangement on the surface of the photoresponsive material and / or the anisotropic surface shape and all or a part of the micro object. As a result, the orientation structure and the orientation of the minute objects are controlled and fixed. According to the anisotropic molecular arrangement and / or the anisotropic surface shape, the selectivity with respect to the minute object is high and the control of the direction and the arrangement is easily realized. When the minute object is fixed by light irradiation, the orientation control state of the minute object is maintained and the object is firmly fixed. In addition, a micro object having anisotropy in shape or molecular structure is an alignment structure that is fixed by being well controlled by an anisotropic structure on the photoresponsive material.

  In addition, the method for producing an alignment structure of the present invention includes a photoresponsive component that causes an anisotropic change in molecular structure or molecular arrangement by light, and includes light having the above (a) and / or (b). Supplying a micro object to the surface of the responsive material; causing an interaction between the micro object supplied to the photoresponsive material and the photoresponsive material; and (a) and / or Or a fixing step of fixing the minute object to the surface of the photoresponsive material based on (b). This production method is a preferred method for producing the alignment structure of the present invention.

  According to the method for producing an alignment structure of the present invention, a micro object is supplied to a photoresponsive material having an anisotropic structure on the surface, and the micro object is oriented by causing the anisotropic structure and the micro object to interact with each other. Can be controlled and arranged and fixed. By using the anisotropic molecular arrangement and / or the anisotropic surface shape as a template of the minute object, the orientation of the minute object can be easily controlled. Furthermore, by fixing the minute object by light irradiation, the orientation control can be maintained and the object can be firmly fixed.

  In the following, embodiments of these inventions will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate with respect to the orientation structure of the micro object, and then a method for producing the structure of the micro object will be described.

(Oriented structure)
FIG. 1 shows an example of the alignment structure 2 of the present invention. The alignment structure 2 of the present invention has a minute object 8 on the surface of the photoresponsive material 4 in a state in which the alignment is controlled.

(Micro object)
The alignment structure 2 of the present invention has one kind of minute object or two or more kinds of minute objects 8. These micro objects may be singular or plural. A biological function imitation device or the like has two or more kinds of minute objects 8 in a state in which one or two or more are controlled in orientation.

  The micro object 8 that is the subject of the present invention includes atoms, molecules, and particles of an arbitrary shape in which these are assembled. As long as the minute object 8 is tangible, it does not ask the existence form. Further, the size of the minute object (which means the longest size of the minute object 8) is not particularly limited, but preferably does not exceed the millimeter size, more preferably 100 μm or less, still more preferably 50 μm or less, More preferably, it is 10 μm or less. Further, the size of the minute object may be nano-size, but is preferably 1 nm or more.

  The micro object 8 preferably has shape anisotropy and / or molecular structure anisotropy. The shape anisotropy means that the outer shape of the micro object 8 has anisotropy, and the molecular structure anisotropy means the primary structure, secondary structure or tertiary structure of the molecules constituting the micro object 8. It means that the higher order structure such as a structure has anisotropy such as a long axis. The micro object 8 may have both shape anisotropy and molecular structure anisotropy. Specific shapes or molecular structures include indefinite shapes, linear shapes, long axis shapes, sheet shapes, and the like. Note that the micro object 8 does not necessarily have a constant shape, and may be deformable.

  The micro object 8 may be made of any material such as an organic material, an inorganic material, a composite or an aggregate thereof, but is preferably a biological material. In many cases, the biological material has anisotropy and preferably has a certain orientation and arrangement for expression of its function or interaction with the target substance. The interaction and reaction efficiency using can be increased.

  Here, examples of the biological material include amino acids or oligomers thereof and polymers (proteins). Among these, proteins that are functional polymers can be preferably used. Proteins include enzymes, regulatory factors, regulatory factors such as transcription factors, metabolism-related proteins such as receptors, antigen-antibody reaction-related proteins such as antigens and antibodies, actin, myosin, kinesin, dynein, and muscles containing these proteins Examples include various proteins such as fiber-related proteins, connective tissue-related proteins such as collagen, elastin, and fibronectin. Among them, muscle fiber-related proteins such as actin and myosin have a linear form and large anisotropy, and from the viewpoint that a predetermined sequence is required for the expression of motor function. Preferred as a biological material. Examples of highly functional proteins include bacteriorhodopsin, cytochrome, ATPase, and the like. Proteins can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  In addition, examples of the biological material include nucleotides, nucleosides, oligomers and polymers thereof, and oligomers and polymers thereof. Of these, oligonucleotides and nucleic acids can be preferably used. Nucleic acids include artificial nucleic acids in addition to DNA and RNA having a single strand, two or more strands, or a portion of a single strand. The type of nucleic acid is not particularly limited. For example, genomic DNA and its microsatellite part or a fragment containing at least a part of any gene, cDNA and its fragment, mRNA and its fragment, and DNA (including cDNA) fragment containing a mutation site such as a single nucleotide polymorphism site, Examples thereof include DNA fragments containing restriction enzyme sites. In addition, examples of the biological material include saccharides such as monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides, lipids, and the like.

  Furthermore, examples of the biological material include organelles and cells. Examples of organelles include microtubules, actin filaments, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum. Examples of the cells include animal cells such as muscle fiber cells and chondrocytes, plant cells, microorganisms, and viruses. Note that organs and tissues containing cells can also be used as the minute object 8.

  In the present specification, the living body-derived material is not limited to those collected from the living body, and is artificially synthesized even if it is collected from the living body and artificially modified. In other words, it contains a molecule constituting a living body and a modified form thereof. Modifications include various combinations such as binding of a label containing a dye such as a fluorescent dye, binding of a photoresponsive component described later to a peptide chain, and binding of two or more biological materials such as peptide nucleic acids. Can be mentioned. In the case where the micro object 8 has a photoresponsive component, by irradiating light to the micro object 8 whose orientation is controlled, an anisotropic change of a separate molecular structure or a difference in molecular arrangement of the micro object 8 is caused. A directionality can be imparted. In this case, the light is fixed by changing the efficiency with respect to the wavelength of the irradiation light with respect to the photoresponsiveness of the minute object 8 and the photoresponsiveness of the photoresponsive material 4 (for example, by shifting the absorption wavelength). Anisotropy can be imparted while maintaining this state.

  Other inorganic materials that can be used for the minute object 8 in the present invention include at least metals, metal oxides, semiconductors, ceramics, and glasses, and organic materials include at least plastics and organic compounds having physiological activity. Is mentioned. In addition, a living thing itself can be used as the minute object 8, and examples of the living thing include at least various kinds of living cells and parts thereof, tissues, and living organisms. Furthermore, examples of the composite material include composite materials in which two or more kinds selected from the inorganic substance, the organic substance (including the biomolecule), and the organism are combined. As these various materials, those already described in JP-A No. 2003-329682, JP-A No. 2004-93996 and JP-A No. 2004-251801 can also be used in the present invention.

(Photoresponsive material)
The alignment structure 2 of the present invention includes a photoresponsive material 4 containing a photoresponsive component that causes an anisotropic change in molecular structure or molecular arrangement by light. Examples of the phenomenon that the molecular structure or molecular arrangement is anisotropically changed by light include photoisomerization, photochromism, photoinduced orientation of molecules, photopolymerization, and the like. In addition, the photoresponsive material 4 containing such a photoresponsive component is preferably a material that undergoes shape deformation (hereinafter also referred to as light deformation) as a result of such anisotropic change due to light. When the material is a photo-deformable material, not only the anisotropic change of the molecular structure and molecular arrangement but also the surface shape can be changed by light irradiation, and the orientation of the micro object 8 can be controlled by the anisotropy of the surface shape. become able to.

  Examples of such photoresponsive components include known photoisomerization components. As the photoisomerization component, for example, a component that causes trans-cis photoisomerization, particularly a dye structure having an azo group (—N═N—), particularly, a component having a structure of azobenzene or a derivative thereof is used. Can be mentioned.

  The photoresponsive material 4 may be any material such as an organic material, an inorganic material, and an organic-inorganic composite material. From the viewpoint of causing photodeformation in the material, the photoresponsive material 4 is preferably a plastic material, more preferably. A polymer material having plasticity or a composite material containing a polymer material is preferable. The photoresponsive material 4 can contain a photoresponsive component as a part (main chain, side chain, or modifying group) of the polymer material constituting the matrix of the photoresponsive material 4. In this case, the polymer material is not particularly limited, and various polymer materials such as vinyl resin and polyurethane can be used, but those containing a urethane group, a urea group, or an amide group in the structural unit. Furthermore, those having a ring structure such as a phenylene group in the main chain of the polymer are preferable from the viewpoint of heat resistance.

Preferred examples of the polymer material containing the photoreactive component include those shown in the following formulas (1) to (6) in addition to those described in the examples.

  In addition, as the photoresponsive material that can be used in the present invention, the carriers and light immobilization materials described in JP-A Nos. 2003-329682, 2004-93996, and 2004-251801 are used. Can do. Further, in this specification, all matters described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2003-329682, 2004-93996, and 2004-251801 are incorporated by reference.

  The photoresponsive material 4 may contain a photoresponsive component in the matrix as an additive (dopant). As such a matrix, the above-described various polymer materials are preferably used. In addition, as the photoresponsive material, an inorganic material such as a chalcogenite glass that includes a structure in which any one of sulfur, selenium, and tellurium and any of germanium, arsenic, and antimony are combined is also used. it can.

  The three-dimensional form of the photoresponsive material 4 is not particularly limited. In addition to a film-like body and a sheet-like body, various particle forms such as a spherical shape, an indeterminate shape, a needle shape, a rod shape, and a flake shape can be taken. Furthermore, the photoresponsive material 4 may be fixed to a suitable support.

(template)
A template 6 for controlling the orientation of the minute object 8 is provided on the photoresponsive material 4. The template 6 itself enables the orientation control of the minute object 8, but it can be supplemented when the minute object 8 is self-assembled or self-organized. The template 6 can have an anisotropic molecular arrangement on the surface layer side of the photoresponsive material 4 in order to control the orientation of the micro object 8. The anisotropic molecular arrangement includes a state in which photoresponsive components or materials having a part thereof are arranged in a certain arrangement with a certain direction. The anisotropic molecular arrangement includes an anisotropic molecular structure itself by trans-cis photoisomerization of the photoresponsive component. Such an anisotropic molecular arrangement corresponds to or approximates the whole or a part of the molecular arrangement so that it can interact with the whole or a part of the micro object 8 to be oriented. Especially, it is preferable to form based on the anisotropic molecular arrangement | sequence of the whole or some micro object 8.

  Further, the template 6 can have an anisotropic surface shape together with the anisotropic molecular arrangement or separately from the anisotropic molecular arrangement for controlling the orientation of the micro object 8. Such an anisotropic surface shape corresponds to or approximates the whole or a part of the surface shape so as to be able to interact with the whole or a part of the micro object 8 to be oriented. The anisotropic surface shape in the template 6 may be any shape as long as it is a three-dimensional shape such as a concave portion or a convex portion and has anisotropy. For example, the anisotropic surface shape is configured by a combination of the depth and height of the three-dimensional shape on the surface of the photoresponsive material 4 and the pattern on the surface. Specifically, a concave or convex portion of the planar photoresponsive material 4 having a pattern (planar form) such as an elongated line extending in the in-plane direction can be mentioned. A typical example of these is a regular uneven structure such as a grating structure. Moreover, the convex part and recessed part which have anisotropy in a cross-sectional structure are mentioned.

  Even if the template 6 is formed by light irradiation as described later, the region where the template 6 is formed is not limited to the region where the light is irradiated. As a result of light irradiation, anisotropic molecular arrangements and surface shapes are not irradiated with light other than the light-irradiated region (for example, the periphery of the light irradiated region such as the outer periphery adjacent to the light irradiated region or the light irradiated region. May be formed in a non-irradiated region surrounded by.

  The photoresponsive material 4 may have two or more templates 6 for two or more kinds of minute objects 8. By doing so, it is possible to control the orientation of two or more kinds of minute objects 8. The template 6 for a certain kind of minute object 8 is different from the template 6 for another kind of minute object 8 in molecular arrangement and surface shape. Further, the template 6 can have a suitable pattern on the photoresponsive material 4. Moreover, you may have the area | region which does not have photoresponsiveness, for example, the function of the photoresponsive component is partially lost, or the photoresponsive material 4 is lost.

(Orientation control of minute objects)
In the alignment structure 2 of the present invention, the micro object 8 is fixed on the template 6 formed on the surface of the photoresponsive material 4 under controlled orientation. That is, the orientation of the micro object 8 may be controlled based on the anisotropic molecular arrangement of the template 6 or may be controlled based on the anisotropic surface shape. Orientation may be controlled.

  As a state in which the micro object 8 is fixed based on the anisotropic molecular arrangement of the template 6, the entire micro object 8 or a part of the micro object 8 follows the anisotropic molecular arrangement on the surface layer side of the photoresponsive material 4. The state is fixed. For example, when the photoresponsive component is a uniaxial component and oriented along a predetermined direction, the micro object 8 may be oriented along the axial direction. When it is along an anisotropic molecular arrangement, it is oriented with a certain range of angles with respect to the anisotropic molecular arrangement, in addition to being oriented in the same direction as the anisotropic molecular arrangement. Cases are also included.

  Further, as a state in which the minute object 8 is fixed based on the anisotropic surface shape, the whole minute object 8 or a part thereof is fixed along the anisotropic surface shape of the photoresponsive material 4. The state being done is mentioned. For example, there is a case where the linear or long-axis minute object 8 is oriented along the extending direction of the concave portion or convex portion formed in the grating structure. In addition, the whole or a part of the minute object 8 may be oriented along the depth direction (or height direction) of the concave portion (or convex portion) having an anisotropic concave portion (or convex portion) form. Can be mentioned. When it is along an anisotropic surface shape, it is oriented in the same direction as the anisotropic shape, or in a range of angles with respect to the anisotropic surface shape. Is also included.

  The minute object 8 is fixed and controlled on the template 6, but when the template 6 is formed in the light irradiation region, the minute object 8 is fixed in the light irradiation region. When formed outside the light irradiation region, the minute object 8 is fixed in the light non-irradiation region.

  Although the micro object 8 oriented on the template 6 is fixed by the interaction with the template 6, the micro object 8 is preferably fixed to the surface of the photoresponsive material 4 by light irradiation (light fixation). Has been. By being light-fixed, even if washing and other treatments are performed, it is stably maintained while maintaining the alignment state. The light immobilization means that the minute object 8 disposed on the surface of the photoresponsive material 4 is irradiated with light to cause photoisomerization or photodeformation on the surface of the photoresponsive material 4 to be fixed. The light immobilization is disclosed by the present applicant in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-329682, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-93996, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-251801. Can also be applied.

  In addition, when the micro object 8 is light-fixed at the orientation location, the light-fixed location is provided with an anisotropic molecular arrangement and / or surface shape for controlling the orientation of the micro object 8, and The molecular arrangement and / or the surface shape for light fixation of the object 8 is given. In the light fixing part, it is usually that a specific light-induced molecular orientation, light deformation, or the like is induced on the surface of the photoresponsive material 4 by the size of the minute object 8, the polarization property of the irradiation light, and the like. Many. Therefore, the anisotropic structure of the template 6 is often modified or modified by light fixation even at the light fixed location in the oriented body 2. It is considered that the molecular arrangement and surface shape of the modification or modification site are adapted to the anisotropic molecular arrangement or anisotropic surface shape of the whole or part of the oriented micro object 8. As a result, the anisotropic molecular arrangement and / or the anisotropic surface shape formed as the template 6 may be maintained as they are.

  According to the alignment structure 2 described above, the micro object 8 is aligned based on the anisotropic molecular arrangement and / or the anisotropic surface shape formed on the surface of the photoresponsive material 4 by light irradiation or the like. Yes. For this reason, the micro object 8 is the orientation structure 2 in which the desired orientation and the arrangement are controlled. Further, when the minute object 8 is fixed to the alignment site by light irradiation, the minute objects 8 arranged by controlling the alignment are fixed while maintaining the state as they are.

  According to such an alignment structure 2, since the micro objects 8 are aligned and fixed in a desired direction and arrangement, the functions of the micro objects 8 can be efficiently exhibited. In addition, when the micro object 8 mediates a certain kind of reaction, a highly efficient reaction can be realized. Further, when a plurality of and / or a plurality of types of minute objects 8 are arranged and organized in a predetermined direction and arrangement, reactions by the minute objects 8 are realized intensively, or continuous reactions are performed. It can be realized with higher efficiency. Further, on the orientation structure 2, since the minute object 8 can be organized by imitating a biological function, the structure 2 is suitable for a biological function imitation device.

  From the above, the alignment structure 2 of the present invention can be preferably used for various devices based on functions obtained by combining single or plural (including plural types) micro objects 8. For example, when protein is used as the minute object 8, it can be used for devices such as biochips, biofuel cells, biosensors, biomotors, bioreactors, and micromachines for diagnosis, research, and treatment. These various devices include biological function mimicking devices.

(Method for producing alignment structure)
Next, a method for producing the alignment structure 2 will be described. The alignment structure manufacturing method of the present invention includes a supplying step of supplying the micro-object 8 to the photo-responsive material 4 having a predetermined template for controlling the orientation of the micro-object 8 on the surface layer side; An alignment step of causing the interaction between the supplied micro object 8 and the photoresponsive material 4 to align the micro object 8 on the surface of the photoresponsive material 4 based on the predetermined template. .

(Template formation process)
In order to produce the alignment structure 2, a photoresponsive material 4 having a template 6 for controlling the alignment of the minute object 8 is prepared in advance. The anisotropic arrangement and the anisotropic shape in the template 6 can be formed by applying voltage, light irradiation, heat, etc., but are formed by light irradiation from the viewpoint of freedom of template formation and orientation control. It is preferable to do.

  In order to form the template 6 by light irradiation, a desired region on the surface of the photoresponsive material 6 is irradiated with light. Light irradiation is not particularly limited, and any light such as various propagation light, near-field light, or evanescent light may be irradiated so as to reach the surface 6 of the carrier 4 or the vicinity thereof. The wavelength of light used for the light irradiation is preferably a wavelength in the vicinity of the absorption maximum of the photoresponsive material 4 although it depends on the type of the photoresponsive material 4 and the anisotropic structure to be obtained.

  By changing the polarization property, wavelength, light intensity, incident angle, irradiation direction, etc. of the irradiated light, the anisotropic molecular arrangement and the anisotropic surface shape can be varied. Among these, it is preferable to use light whose polarization direction is controlled. When light whose polarization direction is controlled is irradiated onto the photoresponsive material 4, the photoresponsive component is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the polarization direction, and an anisotropic shape is imparted to the surface shape. In particular, an anisotropic molecular arrangement can be easily formed by using light whose polarization is controlled in a linear direction. Further, a highly accurate template can be formed by using laser light. On the other hand, by using circularly polarized light whose polarization direction is not controlled, formation of an anisotropic molecular arrangement can be suppressed and an anisotropic surface shape can be formed. Further, when circularly polarized light is used, modification such as relaxation or elimination of the anisotropic molecular arrangement that has already been formed is possible. Further, interference light can be used to form the template 6. By using the interference light, it is possible to easily form various patterns by changing the light intensity applied to the photoresponsive material 4.

  For example, various anisotropic molecular arrangements such as a grating structure are formed on the surface of the photoresponsive material 4 by changing the incident angle and the irradiation direction of the light whose polarization direction is controlled and interference light with respect to the photoresponsive material 4. A surface-shaped pattern can be easily formed.

  The template 6 can also be patterned. Patterning can also be performed by selectively irradiating the entire surface or part of the surface of the photoresponsive material 4 using a known photomask or drawing method. In addition, the photoresponsive material 4 may be provided with a region that does not partially contain a photoresponsive component in advance, or may be formed on the photoresponsive material 4 by selective light irradiation or the like during or before template formation. The photoresponsive component contained therein can be decomposed to reduce or eliminate the photoresponsive function, or the photoresponsive component can be removed.

(Micro object supply process)
Next, the micro object 8 is supplied to the photoresponsive material 4 on which the template 6 is formed. A method for supplying the minute object 8 to the surface of the photoresponsive material 4 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to apply the method via a liquid medium. As the liquid medium, a medium that enhances the interaction with the template 6 can be selected. For example, the interaction can be enhanced by adjusting the pH, electrolyte concentration, polarity, etc. of the liquid medium. As a liquid medium, water, an aqueous solvent that is an organic solvent compatible with water, or a non-aqueous solvent may be used singly or in combination, depending on the type of the photoresponsive material 4 and the minute object 8. Can be selected. In addition, a component necessary for imparting the above-described liquid property for enhancing the interaction between the photoresponsive material 4 and the minute object 8 may be added.

(Micro object orientation process)
In order to arrange the minute objects 8 on the template 6 with the orientation controlled, the minute objects 8 and the template 6 are caused to interact with each other. By supplying the minute object 8 to the template 6, the interaction between the two is possible. Examples of the interaction between the minute object 8 and the template 6 include van der Waals force, dipole moment, hydrophobic interaction, electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bond, and the like. In order to allow the two to interact effectively, an appropriate liquid medium can be selected, and thermodynamic parameters such as heat can be applied or changed as necessary. The interaction between the minute object 8 and the template 6 is performed over time as necessary. Although not particularly limited, for example, it may be several seconds to several tens of minutes or more.

(Fixing process of minute objects)
The micro objects 8 arranged with the orientation controlled on the template 6 are arranged and fixed on the photoresponsive material 4 based on the interaction. Therefore, if the alignment process is completed, it can be said that the photoresponsive material 4 and the minute object 8 constitute the alignment structure 2. Although there are uses that can be used even in such a state, it is preferable to firmly fix the micro object 8 to such an extent that the surface of the photoresponsive material 4 is subjected to a treatment or processing such as cleaning. In order to maintain and firmly fix the micro object 8 in a state in which the orientation is controlled, the micro object 8 can be fixed to the orientation site by light irradiation.

  The fixing step by light irradiation can be performed after the alignment step. By irradiating light after causing a sufficient interaction between the minute object 8 and the template 6, the minute object 8 can be light-fixed while maintaining an efficient and well-controlled state. In some cases, the substantial time required for alignment may not be required, and alignment and fixation may be performed while performing light irradiation. Therefore, you may implement a light fixing process simultaneously with an orientation process. In the method of the present invention, it can be said that there is an affinity in advance between the minute object 8 and the template 6 of the photoresponsive material 4 in the molecular arrangement and / or the surface shape. Can also be fixed in a state in which the orientation is controlled.

  The light irradiation method for fixing the light is not particularly limited. What is necessary is just to irradiate so that arbitrary lights, such as various propagation light, near field light, or evanescent light, may arrive at the surface of the photoresponsive material 4 in which the micro object 8 exists, or its vicinity. The light fixation can be performed in a state where a liquid medium containing the minute object 8 exists on the template 6. Since the minute object 8 is arranged on the template 6 by the interaction with the template 6, it can be fixed with light even in a liquid medium. Furthermore, the light irradiation can be selectively performed on a part of the template 6 using a known method. In addition, about the light irradiation for light fixation, employ | adopt the irradiation light and the light irradiation method already described in Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2003-329682, Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2004-93996, and Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2004-251801. Can do.

  By irradiating the minute object 8 on the template 6 with light, the minute object 8 arranged by controlling the orientation can be fixed with light. Therefore, the micro object 8 whose orientation is controlled to a desired state can be obtained on the template, and the micro objects 8 can be organized in a desired arrangement state. In addition, since light fixation can be performed by irradiation with visible light, it is possible to perform fixation while suppressing or avoiding damage to biomolecules. For this reason, when the micro object 8 whose orientation is controlled is a functional molecule such as a biomolecule, a biomolecule having good activity can be functionally organized.

(Washing process)
After the micro object 8 is light-fixed, the cleaning process of the template 6 of the photoresponsive material 4 can be performed. The alignment structure 2 that has been subjected to the cleaning step can be used as a device for various applications as it is or by further processing or modification.

  As described above, according to the method for producing an alignment structure of the present invention, it is possible to obtain an alignment structure 2 in which the minute objects 8 are aligned and fixed. In particular, the alignment structure 2 can be easily and highly controlled in orientation by using template formation and light fixation by light irradiation.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with specific examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

(Sample preparation)
As the photoresponsive material, a urethane azo polymer (weight average molecular weight 9000, number average molecular weight 5600) having an azo dye represented by the following formula (7) was used. A predetermined amount of this polymer was dissolved in pyridine, and a glass substrate was coated with a spin coater at a predetermined rotation speed to form a film. As the glass substrate, an MAS-coated slide glass for preventing peeling (made by Matsunami Glass: the surface is covered with a high-density amino group) was used. The glass substrate on which the azo polymer was spin-coated was dried at 130 ° C. for 1 hour under vacuum at room temperature overnight and subjected to the following test. The film thickness was about 0.2 μm.

(Template formation by laser irradiation)
Two-beam interference exposure was performed on the sample surface with an interference optical system. As a light source, a water-cooled CW Ar laser (manufactured by LEXEL) was used, and laser light having a wavelength of 488 nm (light intensity 20 mW / cm ² ) was irradiated. The laser beam was divided into two by a non-polarizing beam splitter, and then incident on the azo polymer surface at a predetermined incident angle (45 °), and subjected to interference exposure.

  The surface of the deformed film was observed with a contact mode AFM (manufactured by Digital Instrument, Nano Scpoe E), and the depth of the deformed structure was evaluated from the cross-sectional image. The obtained AFM image is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the surface of the azo polymer film was deformed, and a grating structure with a pitch of 345 nm was obtained. When the anisotropy of the absorption was evaluated, the absorption anisotropy showing different absorptivity in the direction parallel to the direction perpendicular to the irradiated linearly polarized light was confirmed.

  Further, when the change in polarization absorption coefficient with time was measured while irradiating the film before light irradiation with linearly polarized light, the result shown in FIG. 3 was obtained. It was confirmed that it was due to the molecular orientation of the dye. Further, since the azo dye is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the polarization direction, according to the polarization direction in this example, it is considered that the azo dye is oriented along the groove direction in the template shown in FIG. It is done.

(Orientation of tobacco mosaic virus)
A phosphate buffer solution of tobacco mosaic virus is dropped onto the sample surface, and after standing for a while, the entire sample surface is irradiated with light using a light irradiation device in which LEDs are arranged in an array (wavelength: 465 nm, light intensity: about 10 mW / cm ² ) Then, light fixation was performed. Immediately after the light fixation, washing with a phosphate buffer was performed for about 30 minutes, the sample was dried, and the surface shape was observed in a tapping mode AFM. The state of the obtained surface is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, it was observed that tobacco mosaic viruses were lined up along the direction of the groove.

  From the above, according to the present invention, it was confirmed that the micro object is oriented and fixed based on the anisotropic molecular arrangement and / or the surface shape on the photoresponsive material.

The conceptual diagram which shows an example of an orientation structure. The figure which shows the template of the orientation structure in an Example. The graph figure of the time-dependent change of absorption anisotropy which shows that molecular orientation is induced in a template by light irradiation. The surface observation figure of the oriented structure to which the tobacco mosaic virus was fixed.

Explanation of symbols

  2 orientation structure, 4 photoresponsive material, 6 template, 8 micro object.

Claims (17)

An alignment structure,
A photoresponsive material containing a photoresponsive component that causes an anisotropic change in molecular structure or molecular arrangement by light; and
The following (a) and / or (b);
(A) An anisotropic molecular arrangement on the surface layer side of the responsive material,
(B) an anisotropic surface shape of the photoresponsive material;
Bei give a, a minute object that is fixed to the surface of the photoresponsive material based on,
The micro object is a biological material containing one or two selected from proteins, nucleic acids, organelles and cells,
The photoresponsive component is a compound having an azobenzene group, the photoresponsive material is a polymer material,
The (a) and / or (b) is formed outside the light-irradiated region by light irradiation, and the micro object is in the (a) and / or (b) outside the light-irradiated region. A structure that is fixed based on . An alignment structure,
A photoresponsive material containing a photoresponsive component that causes an anisotropic change in molecular structure or molecular arrangement by light; and
The following (a) and / or (b);
(A) An anisotropic molecular arrangement on the surface layer side of the responsive material,
(B) an anisotropic surface shape of the photoresponsive material;
Bei give a, a minute object that is fixed to the surface of the photoresponsive material based on,
The micro object is a biological material containing one or two selected from proteins, nucleic acids, organelles and cells,
The photoresponsive component is a compound having an azobenzene group, the photoresponsive material is a polymer material,
A structure having a regular uneven structure on the surface of the photoresponsive material . An alignment structure,
A photoresponsive material containing a photoresponsive component that causes an anisotropic change in molecular structure or molecular arrangement by light; and
The following (a) and / or (b);
(A) An anisotropic molecular arrangement on the surface layer side of the responsive material,
(B) an anisotropic surface shape of the photoresponsive material;
Bei give a, a minute object that is fixed to the surface of the photoresponsive material based on,
The micro object is a biological material containing one or two selected from proteins, nucleic acids, organelles and cells,
The photoresponsive component is a compound having an azobenzene group, the photoresponsive material is a polymer material,
A structure including a region having no photoresponsiveness due to a photoresponsive component on a surface layer side of the photoresponsive material . The (a) and / or (b) is formed outside the light-irradiated region by light irradiation, and the micro object is in the (a) and / or (b) outside the light-irradiated region. The structure according to claim 2 or 3 , which is fixed on the basis thereof. The structure according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein the surface of the photoresponsive material has a regular uneven structure. The structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the minute object is fixed based on (a) and / or (b) by light irradiation. The structure according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein (a) and / or (b) is formed by light irradiation. The minute object has a shape anisotropy and / or molecular structural anisotropy, claim 1-7 structure according to any one of. The minute object, said (a) and / or said is fixed along (b), the structure according to any one of claims 1-7. It said minute object is provided with the photoresponsive component structure according to any one of claims 1-9. Biofunctional mimic device comprising a structure according to any one of claims 1-10. A method for producing an alignment structure,
The light-responsive material containing a light-responsive component that causes an anisotropic change in molecular structure or molecular arrangement by light is irradiated with light, and the following (a) and / or ( b);
(A) An anisotropic molecular arrangement on the surface layer side of the responsive material,
(B) Anisotropic surface shape of the photoresponsive material
Forming a template; and
With containing the photoresponsive components generated an anisotropic change in molecular structure or molecular arrangement by light, a supply step of supplying a very small object responsive material having said (a) and / or (b),
An interaction is generated between the micro object supplied to the photoresponsive material and the photoresponsive material, and the photoresponsiveness of the microobject is changed based on (a) and / or (b). It includes an alignment step of orienting the surface of the material, and
The micro object is a biological material containing one or two selected from proteins, nucleic acids, organelles and cells,
The manufacturing method in which the photoresponsive component is a compound having an azobenzene group, and the photoresponsive material is a polymer material . 13. The fabrication according to claim 12 , wherein in the alignment step or after the alignment step, the step of fixing the minute object based on (a) and / or (b) by irradiating the minute object with light. Method. The manufacturing method according to claim 12 , wherein light with a polarization direction controlled is used for the light irradiation. The manufacturing method according to claim 12 , wherein interference light is used for the light irradiation. In the template forming step or separately from the template forming step, the step of reducing or eliminating the photoresponsive function of the photoresponsive component on the surface layer side of the photoresponsive material or removing the photoresponsive component is performed. the method of preparation according to any one of claims 12 to 15. Wherein the or in the template formation process template forming process performing step to mitigate separately the (a) and / or (b), a manufacturing method according to any one of claims 12 to 16.