Designing nanosensors based on ion channel-forming peptides

ORGN 494

Steven Blake1, Ricardo Capone, rcapone@umich.edu2, Michael Mayer, mimayer@umich.edu3, and Jerry Yang1. (1) Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, MC 0358, La Jolla, CA 92093-0358, (2) Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Lurie Biomedical Engineering Bldg, 1101 beal Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, (3) Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Lurie Biomedical Engineering Bldg, 1101 Beal Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Detection of chemical processes on a single molecule scale is the ultimate goal of sensitive analytical assays. We have explored methods to detect chemically reactive analytes in solution using synthetic derivatives of gramicidin A (gA). We exploit the functional properties of an ion channel-forming peptide—gA—to follow the conversion of chemical groups on molecules attached near the opening of these semi-synthetic nanopores. These peptide-based nanosensors detect reaction-induced changes in the chemical or physical properties of functional groups presented at the opening of the pore. This presentation will discuss some simple methods to synthesize derivatives of gA and will introduce several design parameters for development of gA-based sensors for monitoring chemical and biochemical reactions. We propose that gA-based ion channel sensors offer tremendous potential for ultrasensitive functional detection since a single chemical modification of each individual sensing element can lead to readily detectable changes in channel conductance.
 

Materials, Devices and Switches
1:00 PM-4:40 PM, Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- La Nouvelle, Blrm. C, Oral

Division of Organic Chemistry

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008