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Our research interests focus on the design and assembly of bio-inspired constructs for solar energy conversion, catalysis and signal transduction. The incorporation of artificial antennas and reaction centers into model biological membranes to make solar energized membranes is one of the first steps towards assembling nanoscale devices capable of carrying out human-directed work. It is our sense that the promise and excitement in nanoscale science and technology are predicated on paradigms taken from biology for molecular-scale motors, pumps, signal amplifiers, etc. These devices from biology are powered by proton motive force (pmf) or the thermodynamic equivalent of pmf, ATP. On the other hand, most of the devices we have come to appreciate (and expect) from the human-made world are powered by electromotive force. The membrane potential associated with energized membranes is the common denominator between the energy transducers of biology and their counterparts in the human-made world. Broadly, my research aims to explore this connection and use it to establish links between the systems and thereby explore ways to couple the efficient bioenergetic processes of nature to human-engineered constructs to meet human energy needs.
This idea can be elaborated in the field of signal processing/molecular sensors
by imagining the design of hybrid devices which link silicon-based elements
in an electrical circuit with biological receptors in which molecular recognition
provides exquisite specificity at near single molecule sensitivity. In such
a device, biological amplifiers (e.g., a G-protein cascade) powered by pmf
would provide initial amplification of the signal resulting from the binding
of a target ligand by a membrane-linked receptor. The amplified output signal
would then be coupled to more conventional circuits for measurement and analysis.
In other words, the information/signal at the biological level (ligand recognition
and binding) would be amplified using biological amplifiers, the output of
which is then translated into an electrical signal for conventional electronic
processing.
Photosynthetic organisms provide myriad examples of catalysis including several
essential redox ones that operate with essentially no over potential. These
include the most efficient 4-electron catalyst known for the oxidation
of water to yield oxygen and protons. In combination with the biological
catalyst
for
oxygen reduction, found in photosynthetic and all oxygenic organisms, and
enzymes for hydrogen production by proton reduction, nature has provided
the basic
paradigms for fuel cell operation. It is a major goal of our work in artificial
photosynthesis to link redox- and pmf-generating constructs to these catalysts
in order to enhance our understanding of energy flow in biological systems
and to provide energy transduction to meet human needs.
Tel: 1-(480) 965-3308
Fax: 1-(480) 965-2747
Email: Tom.Moore@asu.edu
Office Room Number: ISTB5 202
Lab Room Number: ISTB5 first floor, north
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Photosynthesis Center Arizona State University Box 871604 Room PSD 209 Tempe, AZ 85287-1604
18 December 2008 |
phone: (480) 965-1963 fax: (480) 965-2747 |