Microtubules and Quantum Dots Integration Leads to Conjugates with Applications in Biosensors and Bionanodevices

Abstract

This chapter describes compiled methods for the formation and manipulation of microtubule-kinesin-carbon nanodots conjugates in user-defined synthetic environments. Specifically, by using inherited self-assembly and self-recognition properties of tubulin cytoskeletal protein and by interfacing this protein with lab synthesized carbon nanodots, bio-nano hybrid interfaces were formed. Further manipulation of such biohybrids under the mechanical cycle of kinesin 1 ATP-ase molecular motor led to their integration on user-controlled engineered surfaces. Presented methods are foreseen to lead to microtubule-molecular motor-hybrid based assemblies formation with applications ranging from biosensing, to nanoelectronics and single molecule printing, just to name a few.

Keywords: Adenosine triphosphate; Carbon nanodot; Hybrid; Kinesin; Microtubule; Molecular motor; Nanowire; User manipulation.