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Electrochemical synthesis on single cells as templates.
Jasper Tam1, Shehan Salgado, Mark Miltenburg
1Dept of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. vmaheshw@uwaterloo.ca.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|August 16, 2013
Summary
Graphene sheets enable electrochemical control of cell surfaces, facilitating the templated growth of zinc oxide nanorods on single cells. This novel approach results in a single-cell photosensor with enhanced performance compared to traditional planar devices.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Cell surfaces can be modified electrochemically.
- Graphene's unique properties offer potential for controlling cellular electrochemical activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the electrochemical activation of cell surfaces using graphene.
- To develop a novel single-cell photosensor by templating nanostructures on individual cells.
Main Methods:
- Interfacing cells with graphene sheets to create an electrochemically active surface.
- Utilizing graphene's electrical and thermal properties to control cell surface potential.
- Templating radially projecting zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods onto the surface of single cells.
Main Results:
- Successful electrochemical activation of cell surfaces via graphene interface.
- Controlled templated growth of ZnO nanorods on single cells.
- Demonstration of a single-cell photosensor with superior performance compared to planar devices.
Conclusions:
- Graphene provides a platform for electrochemically controlling cell surfaces.
- This method enables the fabrication of advanced single-cell devices.
- The developed single-cell photosensor exhibits high performance, paving the way for new biotechnological applications.
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