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The Steady March toward Biomimetic Nanoelectronics
Kevin M Rosso1, Piotr Zarzycki2
1Physical Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States.
ACS Nano
|May 17, 2021
Summary
Researchers are developing artificial bioelectronic wires by combining protein charge transport mechanisms with self-assembling scaffolds. Recent work shows successful design of ordered heme arrays, mimicking natural bacterial systems.
Area of Science:
- Bioelectronics
- Protein Engineering
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Understanding natural long-range charge transport in redox proteins is crucial.
- Development of self-assembling scaffolds and de novo protein design are advancing rapidly.
- These fields are poised for convergence to create novel bioelectronic devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize progress in redox protein charge transport and protein design.
- To highlight the potential intersection of these fields for creating artificial bioelectronic wires.
- To showcase recent advancements in intentional protein design for specific functions.
Main Methods:
- Review of current research in redox protein charge transport mechanisms.
- Analysis of developments in self-assembling scaffolds and de novo protein design.
- Focus on specific experimental work demonstrating controlled heme group assembly within designed proteins.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of successful, intentional design of protein scaffolds.
- Nuanced control achieved in binding multiple c-type hemes into ordered arrays.
- Designed arrays exhibit key characteristics of natural heme chains in bacterial multiheme cytochromes.
Conclusions:
- The convergence of protein charge transport research and de novo protein design is imminent.
- Artificial bioelectronic wires are a tangible prospect due to these advancements.
- Controlled assembly of functional heme groups within designed proteins is achievable.
