Enzyme monolayers, electronically switching

The bioelectrocatalyzed oxidation of glucose in this system originates from the primary oxidation of the ferrocene carboxylic acid, (21), to the respective ferrocenylium cation that mediates the oxidation of the enzyme s redox center and its activation towards the oxidation of glucose. Photoisomerization of the enzyme monolayer to the MRH-GO state switched-off the bioelectrocatalytic functions of the protein monolayer, and only the electrical response of the diffusional electron mediator was observed, Fig. 3-31, curves (b) and (d). By the cyclic photoisomerization of the enzyme-monolayer electrode between the SP-GOx and MRlT-GOx states, the reversible photoswitching of the enzyme activity between ON and OFF states was demonstrated, Fig. 3-31 (inset). 

ELECTRONICALLY TRANSDUCED PHOTOCHEMICAL SWITCHING OF ENZYME MONOLAYERS... 

Electronically Transduced Photochemical Switching of Enzyme Monolayers 227... 

The use of self-assembling peptides is also explored beyond the medical, pharmaceutical, or cosmetics industry. Areas of interest are among others functional foods, electronics, functional coatings, and catalysis (but different from enzyme research). As an example, peptides can be designed to switch from a random coil-like primary structure organization into an a-helix or [3-sheet secondary structure with unique properties. Short peptides align to form [3-sheet tapes with different functionalities, for example, hydrophilic and hydrophobic on either side of the tape to form monolayer coatings (Boden et al., 1996). 

The use of electrodes modified with immobilized redox-active molecules provides a simple methodology by which to study the ultrathin film electrochemistry of water-insoluble redox-active molecules, encouraging the application of such techniques to biomimetic membranes in aqueous media. It is of interest to use monolayer and LB films of enzymes, proteins, and antibodies as biosensors or biomolecular switches because of their high sensitivity for their substrates and antigens, respectively. The formation of thin fullerene films including fullerene-lipid hybrid and fullerene-lipid composite bilayer membranes is of interest both from a fundamental and practical application point of view. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are novel nanomaterials that have remarkable electronic, mechanical, and thermal properties, and specific functions. Soluble carbon nanotubes in aqueous and organic systems are of interest since their study allows the... 

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