Nanostructures of organic molecules and proteins on surfaces

Patterning bioreceptors on surfaces is a key step in the fabrication of biosensors and biochips. State-of-the art technology can produce micrometer-sized biostructures, however, further miniaturization at the nanoscale will require new methods and lithographic tools. In this proceeding, we report three approaches: nanopen reader and writer (NPRW), nanografting and latex particle lithography; for creating nanostructures of small molecules, DNA and proteins. Using nanografting and NPRW, nanostructures of thiol molecules or thiolated ssDNA are fabricated within selfassembled monolayers. Proteins attach selectively to nanopattems of thiol molecules containing bioadhesive groups such as aldehyde or carboxylates. Using latex particle lithography, arrays of protein nanostructures are produced with high throughput on mica and gold substrates. Near-physiological conditions are used in structural characterization, thus the orientation, reactivity and stability of proteins and DNA molecules within nanostructures may be monitored directly via AFM. While AFM-based approaches provide the highest precision, nanoparticle lithography can produce arrays of protein nanostructures with high throughput. The nanostructures of proteins produced by these approaches provide an excellent opportunity for fundamental investigations of biochemical reactions on surfaces, such as antigen-antibody recognition and DNA-protein interactions. These methods provide a foundation for advancing biotechnology towards the nanoscale.