Constructing organic/inorganic NEMS devices powered by biomolecular motors

The recognition of many enzymes as nanoscale molecular motors has opened the door for the potential creation of hybrid organic/inorganic nano-electro-mechanical (NEMS) devices. The long-term objective of this research is the integration of F1-ATPase with NEMS to produce useful nanoscale devices. A thermostable F1-ATPase coding sequence has been isolated, cloned, and engineered for high-level protein expression. Precise positioning, orientation, and spacing of individual F1-ATPase molecules were achieved on patterned nickel arrays produced using electron beam lithography. An efficient and accurate assay was developed to evaluate the performance of individual F1-ATPase motors, and confirmed a three-step mechanism of γ subunit rotation during ATP hydrolysis. Further assessment of the biophysical and bioengineering properties of F1-ATPase currently are being conducted, as well as the construction of a hybrid NEMS device powered by F1-ATPase. The evolution of this technology will permit the creation of novel classes of nanoscale, hybrid devices. © 2000 Kluwer Academic Publishers.