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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
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Encapsulating Cytochrome c in Silica Aerogel Nanoarchitectures without Metal Nanoparticles while Retaining Gas-phase Bioactivity
Published on: March 1, 2016
Cytochrome C stabilization and immobilization in aerogels
Amanda S Harper-Leatherman1, Jean Marie Wallace, Debra R Rolison
1Chemistry Department, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT, USA.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|September 25, 2010
Summary
Researchers developed a novel method to incorporate biomolecules into aerogels. This technique preserves protein structure and enables rapid nitric oxide sensing using gold-nanoparticle-stabilized cytochrome c within the ultraporous material.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biochemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Sol-gel aerogels are nanoscale materials with high surface areas and porosity.
- Incorporating biomolecules into aerogels is challenging due to processing conditions that can denature proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for incorporating functional biomolecules into aerogels.
- To create a stable, porous scaffold for sensitive biomolecule-based applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing self-organized superstructures of cytochrome c (cyt. c) around gold nanoparticles.
- Encapsulating these gold-nanoparticle-cyt. c structures within silica.
- Processing the silica composite into aerogels using supercritical fluid methods.
Main Results:
- Cytochrome c retained its characteristic visible absorption within the aerogel matrix.
- The gold-nanoparticle-nucleated structures protected cyt. c from harsh processing conditions.
- The resulting aerogels demonstrated rapid gas-phase recognition of nitric oxide (NO).
Conclusions:
- This method enables the successful incorporation of functional biomolecules into aerogels.
- The aerogel-biomolecule composites exhibit enhanced stability and sensing capabilities.
- This approach opens new avenues for biomolecule-based sensors and electrochemical devices.
