A confluence in scientific advancements associatedwith molecular biology and nanofabrication technology nowoffers the potential of engineering functional hybridorganic/inorganic nanomechanical systems. Our objectives wereto: (i)establish a system for producing a recombinantbiomolecular motor; (ii) precisely position and orient biologicalmolecules on nanofabricated substrates; and (iii) acquire baselineperformance data on a biomolecular motor in a hybrid system. Arecombinant expression system was established for the large-scale production of a thermostable biomolecular motor, F1-ATPase, modified to contain chemically active 'handes'. His tagswere used to specifically attach, as well as precisely position andorient, biological molecules on nickel, copper and gold substratescreated using electron beam lithography. Further, these substrateswere used to attach F1-ATPase and acquire baseline performancedata on motor rotation through the attachment of fluorescentmicrospheres to the tip of the γ subunit. Subunit.Counterclockwise rotation of the γ subunitwas measured atapproximately 10 Hz (3-4 rev s-1) using a differentialinterferometer. These data have established several prerequisitetechnologies that are essential to the integration of biomolecularmotors in nano-electro-mechanical systems. The evolution ofthese thchnologies will open the door to the seamless integrationof the motive power of life with engineered nanofabricated devices.
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