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Published on: November 1, 2016
Self-assembled diphenylalanine nanowires for cellular studies and sensor applications
Luigi Sasso1, Indumathi Vedarethinam, Jenny Emnéus
1Technical University of Denmark, Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Ørsteds Plads 345ø, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
|August 2, 2012
Summary
Diphenylalanine peptide nanowires (PNWs) support cell growth and can be functionalized to create biosensors. These peptide/polymer nanowire sensors show promise for detecting dopamine at low concentrations.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Vertical self-assembled diphenylalanine peptide nanowires (PNWs) are explored for biosensing applications.
- Cellular compatibility and electrochemical properties of PNWs on gold surfaces are investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate PNWs as a material for cellular biosensing.
- To develop and characterize conducting peptide/polymer nanowire structures for electrochemical sensing.
Main Methods:
- HeLa and PC12 cells were cultured on PNW-modified gold surfaces.
- PNWs were functionalized with polypyrrole (PPy) via chemical polymerization.
- Cyclic voltammetry was used to characterize the electroactivity of PNW/PPy structures.
- Amperometric dopamine sensing was performed using modified electrodes.
Main Results:
- Cell growth on PNW-modified surfaces was not hindered.
- Conducting PNW/PPy nanowire structures were successfully created on metal electrodes.
- The modified electrodes demonstrated amperometric dopamine sensing with a detection limit of 3.1 microM.
Conclusions:
- Vertical self-assembled diphenylalanine peptide nanowires are suitable for cellular biosensing.
- PNW/PPy composite structures exhibit promising electrochemical sensing capabilities.
- The developed biosensor shows potential for dopamine detection.
