Protein Monolayer Electrochemistry

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This research project is supported by the Analytical and Surface ChemistryProgram. The Principal Investigator, Professor Edmond Bowden at NorthCarolina State University, and his colleagues are addressing fundamentalquestions of electron transport between the heme site of cytochromeproteins and the organic monolayer modified gold electrode surface. Byvarying the self-assembled monolayer modification of the gold surface, andby careful site directed mutation of the cytochrome protein, the effects ofprotein orientation and electron transfer distance are probed in thesestudies. Spectroscopic characterization of the modified overlayers, usingscanning probe methods, infrared spectroscopy, and photoelectronspectroscopy, is used to determine overlayer structure and properties.Mutation and selective chemical modification of the protein overlayer isused to characterize the interaction between the protein and the modifiedelectrode surface. Fundamental information gained from these studies willbe of use in the subsequent design of biosensors and biomedical devices. An understanding of electron transfer between electrode surfaces andprotein molecules bound to the surface is important for the design ofantigen specific sensors and bioanalytical methods. This research projectaddresses this electron transfer problem by careful modification andcharacterization of both the electrode surface and the protein interactingwith it. Detailed fundamental information on electron transfer rateprocesses results from these studies, with direct application to the designof biosensors.