High rectifying efficiencies of microtubule motility on Kinesin-coated gold nanostructures

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

  • Martin G.L. Van Den Heuvel - , Technische Universität Delft (Autor:in)
  • Christopher T. Butcher - , Technische Universität Delft (Autor:in)
  • Ralph M.M. Smeets - , Technische Universität Delft (Autor:in)
  • Stefan Diez - , Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (Autor:in)
  • Cees Dekker - , Technische Universität Delft (Autor:in)

Abstract

We demonstrate highly efficient rectification of microtubule motility on gold nanofabricated structures. First, we present a novel nanofabrication process for the creation of gold tracks for microtubule motility recessed in silicon oxide. This approach is particularly useful because it enables the use of the well-understood PEG-silane chemistry on SiO2 for the blocking of kinesin, whereas the gold tracks allow possible electrical control. We demonstrate excellent confinement of microtubule motility to the gold nanostructures and that microtubules move on the gold with speeds comparable to that on glass. Second, we present designs of three advanced rectifier geometries. We analyze the microtubule pathways through the geometries, and we demonstrate highly efficient rectification with up to 92% efficiency. As a result, we find that up to 97% of the microtubules move unidirectionally.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)1117-1122
Seitenumfang6
FachzeitschriftNano letters
Jahrgang5
Ausgabenummer6
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 11 Mai 2005
Peer-Review-StatusJa
Extern publiziertJa

Externe IDs

PubMed 15943453
ORCID /0000-0002-0750-8515/work/142235590