Intelligent Systems Based on Ordered Arrays of Biological Molecules Using the LB Technique

The Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique has been used to incorporate photodynamic proteins into molecular assemblies. One technique of incorporation involves a generalized cassette attachment methodology which employs a biotin-streptavidin complexation with an electroactive polymer matrix. We have focused the efforts described here on phycobiliproteins and bacteriorho dopsin, although antibodies, enzymes, gene probes and other moieties could also be coupled into the system to build in selectivity. Photoconductivity and photobleaching of these protein systems were investigated. These results suggest that coupling these proteins, either in mixed monolayers or in multilayers, with appropriate conductive polymers or other materials will provide the opto electronic signal transduction needed for biosensor, optical display and other applications. Initial studies involving the integration of conductive polymers into the molecular assemblies to enhance optical signal transduction are also discussed.