title: An investigation into the feasibility of myoglobin-based single-electron transistors.
abstract: Myoglobin single-electron transistors were investigated using nanometer-gap platinum electrodes fabricated by electromigration at cryogenic temperatures. Apomyoglobin (myoglobin without the heme group) was used as a reference. The results suggest single-electron transport is mediated by resonant tunneling with the electronic and vibrational levels of the heme group in a single protein. They also represent a proof-of-principle that proteins with redox centers across nanometer-gap electrodes can be utilized to fabricate single-electron transistors. The protein orientation and conformation may significantly affect the conductance of these devices. Future improvements in device reproducibility and yield will require control of these factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-6315, USA.
authors.forename: Debin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Gannett
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lederman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001059:Apoproteins / Q000737:chemistry; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004583:Electrons; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006418:Heme / Q000737:chemistry; D006736:Horses; D009211:Myoglobin / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010984:Platinum / Q000737:chemistry; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014173:Transistors, Electronic
chemical_list: D001059:Apoproteins; D009211:Myoglobin; C010857:apomyoglobin; D006418:Heme; D010984:Platinum