Gold nanoparticles are capable of undergoing a variety of reactions which provide functionality. Particulary, place exchange reactions using biomolecules on water soluble monolayer protected gold clusters yield particles with similar properties to proteins and other biomolecules. (Photo courtesy of Dr. James E. Crowe, Jr. Laboratory, Vanderbilt, University)

Ion channels populating cell membranes exhibit very high specificity toward specific analytes, and therefore can be advantageously utilized in detection schemes for future sensor designs. Additionally, certain ion channel analogs (such as the alamethicin water pore) can be triggered to open or close via potential control and thus are promising candidates for use as valves in microfluidic device designs.

The Analyst 2006, 131(2), 311.

QCM has a wide range of applications in areas of food, environmental and clinical analysis. The use of antibodies as the crystal coating, offers immunosensors inherent bioselectivity. These antibody-coated crystals are referred to as QCM-based immunosensors.

MPCs have interesting properties such as quantized electrochemical charging of the MPC core, optical absorption, and catalytic activity. However, such properties are size dependant and thus the fractionation of MPCs into more monodisperse samples is important for characterizing MPCs and for use in practical applications such as protein mimics, functionalized nanostructures, and sensors. This project focuses on MPC fractionation using continuous free flow electrophoresis.

Photosystem I is a supramolecular protein complex that is the reaction center of plant photosynthesis. In this project, photosystem I is integrated with molecular and nanoscale materials to prepare unique photoelectrochemical cells. This work will develop a fundamental understanding of biological systems and incorporating such systems into artificial environments.