Abstract: The recognition of many enzymes as nanoscale molecular motors has allowed for the potential creation of hybrid organic/inorganic nano-electro-mechanical (NEMS) devices. The long-range goal of this research is the integration of F$-1$/-ATPase with NEMS to produce useful nanoscale devices. A thermostable F$-1$/-ATPase coding sequence has been isolated, cloned, and engineered for high-level protein expression. Precise positioning, spacing, and orientation of single F$-1$/-ATPase molecules were achieved using patterned nickel arrays. An efficient, accurate, and adaptable assay was developed to assess the performance of single F$-1$/- ATPase motors, and confirmed a three-step mechanism of $gamma subunit rotation during ATP hydrolysis. Further evaluation of the bioengineering and biophysical properties of F$-1$/-ATPase currently are being conducted, as well as the construction of an F$-1$/-ATPase-powered, hybrid NEMS device. The evolution of this technology will permit the creation of novel classes of nanoscale, hybrid devices. !15
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