Molecular Biology

Molecular Biology

As manufacturers forge towards giga- and tera-scale integration, there is a continuous need to assemble larger number of devices on chips. The limitations of the traditional lithographic methods make self-assembly an especially attractive strategy for the assembly of microstructures for microelectronics. We are currently focusing on nanoscale molecular interconnect construction using precisely arrayed aromatic moieties. This will provide:

1D array of π-π* conjugated electron states to provide coherent charge carrier moieties
Ballistic-type charge transport compared to charge 'hopping' in conventional conductive polymers

The precisely arrayed aromatic moeties can be obtained using the b-sheeted repetitive polypeptides pioneered by Tirrell as scaffolds. Clearly, construction of a system that could self-assemble may be difficult and inefficient via traditional synthetic methods. More efficient biological methods may satisfy these desired criteria, e.g.:

Genetically engineered b-sheeted polypeptide nanoscaffolds for precise alignment of conductive moieties
Completely monodisperse and sterically defined polypeptides
Uniform length, sequence, configuration
Building blocks suitable for nanoscale self-assembly
Cost effective and scaleable in comparison with chemical synthesis
Environmentally friendly manufacturing processes

Publications:

Biomacromolecules 2007, 8, 1487-97.

Biomacromolecules 2006, 7, 1104-11.

Polym. Prepr. (Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Polym. Chem.) 2003, 44(1), 679-680.

Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering 2003, 89, 466-7.

Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering 2004, 91, 474.