Photoinitiated Polymerization of Hydrogels by Graphene Quantum Dots.

As a smart stimulus-responsive material, hydrogel has been investigated extensively in many research fields. However, its mechanical brittleness and low strength have mattered, and conventional photoinitiators used during the polymerization steps exhibit high toxicity, which limits the use of hydrogels in the field of biomedical applications. Here, we address the dual functions of graphene quantum dots (GQDs), one to trigger the synthesis of hydrogel as photoinitiators and the other to improve the mechanical strength of the as-synthesized hydrogel.

Control of electrochemical signals from quantum dots conjugated to organic materials by using DNA structure in an analog logic gate.

Various bio-logic gates have been studied intensively to overcome the rigidity of single-function silicon-based logic devices arising from combinations of various gates. Here, a simple control tool using electrochemical signals from quantum dots (QDs) was constructed using DNA and organic materials for multiple logic functions. The electrochemical redox current generated from QDs was controlled by the DNA structure.

Electrochemical Bioelectronic Device Consisting of Metalloprotein for Analog Decision Making.

We demonstrate an analog type logical device that combines metalloprotein and organic/inorganic materials and can make an interactive analog decision. Myoglobin is used as a functional biomolecule to generate electrochemical signals, and its original redox signal is controlled with various mercapto-acids by the distance effect between myoglobin and a metal surface in the process of electron transfer. Controlled signals are modulated with the introduction of inorganic materials including nanoparticles and metal ions.

Electrochemical-signal enhanced information storage device composed of cytochrome c/SNP bilayer.

The films organized with biomolecules and organic materials are important elements for developing bioelectronic devices according to their electron transfer property. Until now, several concepts of techniques have been accomplished to be used for developing biomemory devices. However it is difficult to detect the current signal from the electron transfer between biomolecules and the substrate in these fabricated films.

Fabrication of biomolecules self-assembled on Au nanodot array for bioelectronic device.

In the present study, an nano-platform composed of Au nanodot arrays on which biomolecules could be self-assembled was developed and investigated for a stable bioelectronic device platform. Au nanodot pattern was fabricated using a nanoporous alumina template. Two different biomolecules, a cytochrome c and a single strand DNA (ssDNA), were immobilized on the Au nanodot arrays.

Fabrication of biofilm in nanoscale consisting of cytochrome f/2-MAA bilayer on Au surface for bioelectronic devices by self-assembly technique.

We developed the nanoscale biofilm consisting of cytochrome f self-assembled on 2-MAA layer to apply bioelectronic devices. As cytochrome f has redox property, it can be possible to apply bioelectronic devices. The fabricated biofilm was confirmed by SPR and STM experiment.