Harnessing catalysis to enhance scanning probe nanolithography.

The use of scanning probes bearing catalysts to perform surface nanolithography combines the exquisite spatial precision of scanning probe microscopy with the synthetic capabilities of (bio)chemical catalysis. The ability to use these probes to direct a variety of localised chemical reactions enables the generation of nanoscale features with a high degree of chemical complexity in a "direct-write" manner. This article surveys the range of reactions that have been employed and the key factors necessary for the successful use of such catalytic scanning probes.

Surface display of a redox enzyme and its site-specific wiring to gold electrodes.

The generation of a current through interaction between bacteria and electrodes has been explored by various methods. We demonstrate the attachment of living bacteria through a surface displayed redox enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase II. The unnatural amino acid para-azido-L-phenylalanine was incorporated into a specific site of the displayed enzyme, facilitating electron transfer between the enzyme and an electrode.