Abstract

Current voltage (I-V) characteristics in proteins can be sensitive to conformational change induced by an external stimulus (photon, odour, etc.). This sensitivity can be used in medical and industrial applications besides shedding new light in the microscopic structure of biological materials. Here, we show that a sequential tunneling model of carrier transfer between neighbouring amino-acids in a single protein can be the basic mechanism responsible of the electrical properties measured in a wide range of applied potentials. We also show that such a strict correlation between the protein structure and the electrical response can lead to a new generation of nanobiosensors that mimic the sensorial activity of living species. To demonstrate the potential usefulness of protein electrical properties, we provide a microscopic interpretation of recent I-V experiments carried out in bacteriorhodopsin at a nanoscale length.

Autore Pugliese

• Alfinito Eleonora

Tutti gli autori

• E. Alfinito , J. Millithaler , L. Reggiani

Titolo volume/Rivista

PHYSICAL REVIEW E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS

Anno di pubblicazione

2011

ISSN

1539-3755

ISBN

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Wos

Nessuna citazione

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Scopus

15

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

28/04/2018

Settori ERC

Non Disponibile

Codici ASJC

Non Disponibile