Protein tubule immobilization on self-assembled monolayers on Au substrates

Avidin-coated peptide tubules, protein tubules, were anchored onto biotin-incorporated self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au substrates and assembled as bridges between the SAMs. The patterned biotin-SAM/Au substrates were placed in a citric acid solution (pH 6) with the protein tubules. After 12 h, the avidin tubules were immobilized on the biotin-SAMs and some of the tubules bridged the patterned biotin-SAMs. No avidin tubules were found to attach onto the glass region between the biotin-SAM/Au substrates. This result shows that the protein tubules have potential to serve as connecting wires for microelectronics.