Integrating Ion Channels with Bioelectronics for Biotic–Abiotic Systems

Abstract

Precise and highly regulated flow of biomolecules and ions through complex cellular networks is crucial for communication and information processing in living systems. In contrast, human‐made electronics rely on the flow of electrons and holes through well‐defined semiconductor networks for processing. Ion channels play vital roles in regulating the flow of ions and biomolecules across the cell membrane with a complexity unmatched in any semiconductor device. To enable biotic–abiotic communication and leverage this complexity, supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) create a planar cell membrane for integration with bioelectronics. This review discusses the integration of ion channels in bioelectronic devices for biotic–abiotic communication with enhanced functionality. This review begins with an introduction of natural and artificial ion channels across SLBs, continues with a description of bioelectronic devices integrating SLBs, and concludes with examples of functional ion channel bioelectronics.

Sequence-Prescribed β-Sheet for Enhanced Electron Tunneling: Boosting Interface Recognition and Electrochemical Measurement

“…6,7 On the other hand, natural-amino-acid-compounded peptides provide a platform for precise interactions with biological entities, making them promising candidates for recognition and selective measurement. 8−11 In recent years, several activepeptide-based bioelectronic interface molecules were reported for electrochemical sensing, which were mainly concentrated on the biomimetic designs of natural-protein deserved peptide segments to facilitate electron transfer through enzymatic-like reactions, 12 biological redox-mediated processes (such as cytochromes), 13,14 ion-channels protein fragments (such as gramicidin), 15,16 and other mechanisms. 17,18 However, the challenge is that tailoring peptide bioelectronic molecules for precision analysis applications still lacks guiding design principles.…”

“…The development of advanced biomolecular electronic interfaces and the elucidation of intricate biomolecular interactions is one of the important approaches for the innovation of new sensing and detection methodologies. , Thereinto, it is critical to rationally construct the interface molecules to seamlessly bridge the synthetic-living interface with conductivity, specificity, and biocompatibility. , Leveraging the inherent properties, peptides are ideal molecular building blocks for achieving the above trifecta through related biosensors and bioelectronics . On one hand, peptides enable artificial controlled molecular synthesis and hybridization as well as ordered morphological self-assembly, making them predictable electronic functions for sensitive sensing. , On the other hand, natural-amino-acid-compounded peptides provide a platform for precise interactions with biological entities, making them promising candidates for recognition and selective measurement. − In recent years, several active-peptide-based bioelectronic interface molecules were reported for electrochemical sensing, which were mainly concentrated on the biomimetic designs of natural-protein deserved peptide segments to facilitate electron transfer through enzymatic-like reactions, biological redox-mediated processes (such as cytochromes), , ion-channels protein fragments (such as gramicidin), , and other mechanisms. , …”