Exploratory Research on Biosystems at the Nanoscale: Nanobioelectronics

University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL

Investigators

Abstract

The initial objective of this research project is to develop methods to deposit single protein molecules on Si(100) surfaces at specific sites. Two approaches will be tested as part of this feasibility study. First, a biopolymer stamping method will be tested in which non-volatile, high molecular weight molecules are positioned onto silicon substrates in ultrahigh vacuum. The second approach will involve incubating a protein solution with a surface that has been nanopattemed with one or more affinity ligands. When combined with feedback-controlled lithography, both methods have the potential to deliver single biopolymers to an exact location. Electronic characterization of individual Heme proteins bound to the silicon surface will be performed by newly developed dI/dV mapping in conjunction with scanning tunneling microscopy.