Engineering Issues in the Fabrication of a Hybrid Nano-Propeller System Powered by F_1-ATPase

Authors: Soong, R.K.; Neves, H.P.; Schmidt, J.J.; Montemagno, C.D.

Source: Biomedical Microdevices, Volume 3, Number 1, 1 March 2001 , pp. 71-73(3)

Publisher: Springer

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $47.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

A hybrid nanoscale device consisting of nanofabricated structures integrated with a biomolecular motor was constructed on a 25-mm diameter round glass cover slip. Glass substrates were patterned using electron beam lithography and reactive ion etching to define elevated nickel anchor points with a minimum feature size of 60 nm in diameter. Subsequent additions of histidine-tagged hbox{F}_{1}-ATPase biomolecular motor resulted in selective attachment of the biomotors to the nanofabricated substrates. Electron beam lithography also was employed to fabricate 1 μm long nickel propellers, which subsequently were released through wet etching, collected, and concentrated in buffer solution. Biotin-Cys-6x-His peptides were attached to nickel propellers for interfacing with a biotinylated biomolecular motor through a streptavidin linker. Successful assembly of the hybrid system was demonstrated with observation of rotating nickel propellers. This engineered hybrid nanomechanical system demonstrates the potential application of a new class of devices with enhanced functionality in biological environments.

Keywords: biomolecular motors; -ATPase; nanotechnology

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853

Publication date: 2001-03-01