Molecular Bio-Electronics Biomaterials

Abstract

This report summarizes some of our efforts aimed at utilizing biomaterials - mainly enzymes - as key components in molecular electronics. The research program is concerned merely with the design and construction of molecular logic elements, the action of which relies on changes in the three-dimensional conformation of biological molecules. Within this context, three main topics are considered: (a) Soliton-actuated bio-molecular switching elements, in which a molecular switch is built on an enzyme at a predesigned location, allowing to control (ON and OFF) its catalytic activity; (b) Enzyme-based logic gates (ENLOG's), particularly their basic concepts and the related approaches for experimentally implementing them; and (c) Interaction of enzymes with electroactive materials, the emphasis being on newly synthesized water-soluble conductive polymers.