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

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

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

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

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1117-1122
Number of pages6
JournalNano letters
Volume5
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - 11 May 2005
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

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