Supported lipid bilayer/carbon nanotube hybrids.
Carbon nanotube transistors combine molecular-scale dimensions with excellent electronic properties, offering unique opportunities for chemical and biological sensing. Here, we form supported lipid bilayers over single-walled carbon nanotube transistors. We first study the physical properties of the nanotube/supported lipid bilayer structure using fluorescence techniques. Whereas lipid molecules can diffuse freely across the nanotube, a membrane-bound protein (tetanus toxin) sees the nanotube as a barrier. Moreover, the size of the barrier depends on the diameter of the nanotube--with larger nanotubes presenting bigger obstacles to diffusion. We then demonstrate detection of protein binding (streptavidin) to the supported lipid bilayer using the nanotube transistor as a charge sensor. This system can be used as a platform to examine the interactions of single molecules with carbon nanotubes and has many potential applications for the study of molecular recognition and other biological processes occurring at cell membranes.
Zhou
Xinjian
X
Laboratory of Atomic and Solid-State Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA. xz58@cornell.edu
Moran-Mirabal
Jose M
JM
Craighead
Harold G
HG
McEuen
Paul L
PL
D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry*; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D015336:Molecular Probe Techniques; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*
D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon