Evaluating Adhesion Strength of Biological Molecules to Nanofabricated Substrates

Our research efforts are aimed at developing a new class of nanoscale mechanical devices powered by biomolecular motors. Currently, advanced techniques are being employed for creating nanofabricated substrates that provide precise positioning and orientation of the biomolecular motors. High-velocity laminar flow tests were used to evaluate the chemical bonding strength of His-tagged microspheres to gold, copper, and nickel substrates. All three substrates served as efficient media for binding His-tagged microspheres. Chemical bonding strength, however, increased from gold, to unoxidized copper, to nickel. Because of its superior bonding strength and routine application in nanofabrication, nickel is the best suited for further development of biomolecular motorpowered, nanomechanical systems.