Protein-based nanobioelectronics transmission lines

Abstract

Extensive research is underway to understand and exploit the interface between biomacromolecules and integrated systems. An ideal biological candidate for use in nanoscale electronic devices is the microtubule, an essential component of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton, which has been shown to be electrically conductive. In this paper, we theoretically analysed the possible use of microtubules as protein structure for building biomolecular nanoscale nonlinear transmission lines in the context of the polyelectrolyte character of these cytoskeletal filaments. We verify these hypotheses both analytically and computationally through a quantitative electrical model based on the atomic resolution structures of the key functional proteins. Each tubulin dimmer protein is an electric element with a capacitive, inductive, and resistive property due to the molecular structure of microtubules. © 2012 IEEE.