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Designing novel smart sensor interfaces based on a biologically abundant peptide motif: coiled-coils

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - smartCC (Designing novel smart sensor interfaces based on a biologically abundant peptide motif: coiled-coils)

Período documentado: 2017-06-01 hasta 2019-05-31

Smart interfaces, i.e. interfaces that change their properties on external triggers, such as temperature or electrode potential are a promising technology that can be applied in materials science, biotechnology or medicine. In this project a novel approach to realize such smart interfaces is investigated by applying a group of biologically abundant molecules, the coiled-coil peptides. The novel interface will allow for new applications that foster biotechnological research and technological progress.
(I) The adsorption of coiled-coil peptides to hydropphilic-hydrophobic switchable germanium interfaces has been studied. The results indicate a completely different adsorption mechanism for the studied peptides. A manuscript for dissemination is in preparation.
(II) Coiled-coil binding to mixed SAMs has been studied. The studied systems show no switchable behaviour. For future work a different binding mechanism must be targeted. A manuscript for dissemination is in preparation.
Smart interfaces based on coiled-coils open fascinating possibilities for applications. However, a realization is more difficult than anticipated. Difficulties arise from the interplay between peptide-peptide and peptide-interface interactions. During preparation these interactions affect significantly, the properties of the final interface. The project results provide an insight into these factors and their effects and build a base for further research in this direction.
Basic design and targeted working principle of a coiled-coil based smart interface.