Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
14
Bacteriorhodopsin: From Biophotonic Material to
Chemical Sensor
Jeffrey A. Stuart, Robert R. Birge, Pallab Bhattacharia, Brian J. Yordy, Jeffrey Girard,
William Tetley, Duane L. Marcy, Jeremy F. Koscielecki, and Jason R. Hillebrecht
CONTENTS
14.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................355
14.2 Bacteriorhodopsin as a Biophotonic Material ............................................................358
14.2.1 Basic Properties ................................................................................................358
14.2.2 The Bacteriorhodopsin Photocycle ................................................................358
14.2.3 Bacteriorhodopsin Photochromism ................................................................360
14.2.4 The Bacteriorhodopsin Photoelectric Effect ..................................................361
14.2.5 Bacteriorhodopsin Modification Through Genetic Engineering ..............362
14.3 Bacteriorhodopsin as a Sensor Element ......................................................................366
14.3.1 Bacteriorhodopsin as an Integrated Element in Microelectronics ............366
14.3.1.1 Microelectronic Devices Employing Bacteriorhodopsin for
Enhanced Function ..........................................................................368
14.3.2 Bacteriorhodopsin as a Sensor of its Chemical Environment ....................370
14.3.2.1 Bacteriorhodopsin and Chemical Sensitivity ..............................371
14.3.2.2 Bacteriorhodopsin-Based Chemical Sensor Architecture ..........372
14.3.2.2.1 Preliminary Results ....................................................374
14.3.2.2.2 Other Photoactive Proteins ........................................377
14.4 Future Directions ............................................................................................................378
Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................................379
References ....................................................................................................................................379
14.1
Introduction
Sensor technology, in its most broad definition, is the ability to use technology to detect
changes in our surroundings that might adversely affect health. In this context, the term
health has a fairly broad definition, in that it encompasses everything from proper mechan-
ical and electrical operation of technology to the well-being of the human physiological con-
dition. The ability to sense changes that potentially affect proper operation of any organized
355
