Recent Advances in the Field of Bionanotechnology: An Insight into Optoelectric Bacteriorhodopsin, Quantum Dots, and Noble Metal Nanoclusters

Abstract

Molecular sensors and molecular electronics are a major component of a recent research area known as bionanotechnology, which merges biology with nanotechnology. This new class of biosensors and bioelectronics has been a subject of intense research over the past decade and has found application in a wide variety of fields. The unique characteristics of these biomolecular transduction systems has been utilized in applications ranging from solar cells and single-electron transistors (SETs) to fluorescent sensors capable of sensitive and selective detection of a wide variety of targets, both organic and inorganic. This review will discuss three major systems in the area of molecular sensors and electronics and their application in unique technological innovations. Firstly, the synthesis of optoelectric bacteriorhodopsin (bR) and its application in the field of molecular sensors and electronics will be discussed. Next, this article will discuss recent advances in the synthesis and application of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). Finally, this article will conclude with a review of the new and exciting field of noble metal nanoclusters and their application in the creation of a new class of fluorescent sensors.

Fluorescence detection system based on silicon quantum dots–polysilane nanocomposites

“…Quantum dots are promising materials for a wide range of applications related to quantum electronics [11][12][13][14]. Silicon itself represents a special case amongst the semiconductive materials used to obtain quantum dots.…”

A Review on Bacteriorhodopsin-Based Bioelectronic Devices

“…In the early 1970s, the wild-type Halobacterium salinarum ( H. salinarum ) as the source of bacteriorhodopsin (bR) was found in the salt marsh archaeon with low oxygen tension, and opened the door of bR-based bioelectronic devices by using the proton pump function and specific photocycle intermediates of bR. [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]…”

Methionine-Capped Gold Nanoclusters as a Fluorescence-Enhanced Probe for Cadmium(II) Sensing

“…Noble metal nanoclusters (NCs), as a star in the family of metal nanomaterials, are gradually coming into view [ 20 ]. Owing to their ultrafine size (usually less than 2 nm) [ 21 ], which is equivalent to the electronic Fermi wavelength, NCs possess the nature of molecules, including discrete energy level, strong light luminescence, good light stability, biocompatibility and other unique physical and chemical properties, thus exhibiting great potential in the field of sensing and imaging [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. The use of NCs to detect Cd 2+ has been studied by several groups.…”