Disposable, Autonomic, Energy-Converting Ion Channel Sensor Materials
Abstract
The objective of this 5-year project was to develop autonomous, ion channel-based biosensors, and achieving this goal required both invention and innovation on multiple, parallel fronts. First, we needed to design, synthesize and characterize a novel class of biomembrane forming materials. The tetraether lipids resulting from our work were inspired by naturally occurring Archaeal lipids and we show how they have many unique biophysical and biochemical properties. Second, we needed develop new cell penetrating peptides that would work with these materials, and then improve existing methods to measure membrane leakage in a more quantitative and reproducible manner. The third innovation was to build devices that could provide either chemiluminescent or photovoltaic readouts in response to our (bio)chemical signals. Lastly, using kirigami and origami-inspired techniques, we developed a hydrogel-based battery that produces electricity in a fashion similar to the electric eel. These batteries are biocompatible, transparent and rechargeable, and they are poised to inspire a completely new class of devices. Taken together, these findings represent significant advances in several areas and they will impact future research in materials science, chemistry, biochemistry and biophysics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 02, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1053710
Entities
People
- David Sept
- Jerry Yang
- Max Shtein
- Michael Mayer
- Nathan C. Gianneschi
Organizations
- University of Michigan