Actin-based metallic nanowires as bio-nanotransporters

Abstract

The synthesis of conductive nanowires or patterned conductive nanoelements is a challenging goal for the future fabrication of nanoscale circuitry. Similarly, the realization of nanoscale mechanics might introduce a new facet to the area of nanobiotechnology. Here we report on the design of conductive and patterned actin-based gold nanowires, and on the ATP-driven motility of the nano-objects. The polymerization of G-actin labelled with Au nanoparticles, followed by the catalytic enlargement of the nanoparticles, yields gold wires (1-4 microm long and 80-200 nm high) exhibiting high electrical conductivity. The polymerization of the Au nanoparticle/G-actin monomer followed by the polymerization of free G-actin, or alternatively the polymerization of the Au-nanoparticle-labelled G-actin on polymerized F-actin followed by the catalytic enlargement of the particles, yields patterned actin-Au wire-actin or Au wire-actin-Au wire nanostructures, respectively. We demonstrate the ATP-fuelled motility of the actin-Au wire-actin filaments on a myosin interface. These actin-based metallic wires and their nanotransporting funcionality introduce new concepts for developing biological/inorganic hybrid devices.

Direct synthesis of MgH2 nanofibers at different hydrogen pressures

“…One-dimensional nanostructures, such as semiconductor nanowires [23,24] and metallic nanowires [25,26], have aroused tremendous interest because of their novel properties and potential applications in areas such as electronic devices, optical devices, magnetic devices and nanosensors [27]. Several mechanisms including vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) [23,28], vapor-solid-solid (VSS) [24,29] and vapor-solid (VS) [25,26] have been proposed to explain the growth of nanowires.…”

Deposition of Platinum Clusters on Surface-Modified Tobacco Mosaic Virus

“…The research on the hybridization of biomolecules with conducting materials is promising because of their potential use as conducting metal connections with smart recognition for nanoscale electrical devices. Various tubular and filamentous biomolecules such as DNA strands, 13 14 actin filaments, 15 amyloid fibers, 5 protein tubules, 16 and viruses 8 17-20 are used as biotemplates in nanotube and nanowire synthesis.…”

Growth of Large-Area Aligned Molybdenum Nanowires by High Temperature Chemical Vapor Deposition: Synthesis, Growth Mechanism, and Device Application

“…1 Various methods have been developed for preparation of metal nanowires, including template assisted electrochemical deposition, 2 chemical vapor deposition, 3 replacement reactions, 4 metal compound reduction, 5,6 metal organic decomposition, 7 physical/chemical vapor deposition, 8 and sputter deposition. 9 Many important applications require direct growth of aligned metal nanowire arrays on a large-area substrate.…”