MULTIMERIC BIOPOLYMERS AS STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS, SENSORS AND ACTUATORS IN MICROSYSTEMS

摘要

Biomolecular complexes hereinafter referred to a multimeric biopolymers whic h can be used as the foundation of chemical control systems capable of both sensing the presence of a target analyte and actuating some mechanical response. The biomolecular complexes are multimeric biopolymers comprising a t least two monomeric units. The monomeric units are selected from the group consisting of full-length proteins, polypeptides, nucleic acid molecules, an d peptide nucleic acids. At least one of the monomeric units binds to the targ et analyte. In one highly preferred embodiment the multimeric biopolymers of th e present invention undergo a detectable conformational change in response to exposure to an analyte. The present invention also provides micromachined an d nanomachined devices and systems which employ the multimeric biopolymers to sense the presence of a target analyte, to actuate a response to the presenc e of a target analyte, or the perform both functions.