METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USE OF THERMALLY SWITCHING PROTEINS IN SENSING AND DETECTING DEVICES

• US 20070037133A1
• Filed: 12/06/2002
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: New Century Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, United States Air Force
• Original Assignee: New Century Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, United States Air Force
• Inventors: Naik, Rajesh, Carter, Daniel, Brott, Lawrence, Stone, Morley
• Granted Patent: US 7,193,037 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/4
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 10/00 Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/20 using resistors, thermistors or semiconductors sensitive to radiation, e.g. photoconductive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/3563 for analysing solids; Preparation of samples therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 25/72 Investigating presence of flaws
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 30/30 comprising bulk heterojunctions, e.g. interpenetrating networks of donor and acceptor material domains
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 30/451 comprising a metal-semiconductor-metal [m-s-m] structure
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 30/65 Light-sensitive field-effect devices, e.g. phototransistors
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 39/30 Devices controlled by radiation
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 39/32 Organic image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 85/761 Biomolecules or bio-macromolecules, e.g. proteins, chlorophyl, lipids or enzymes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/549 Organic PV cells

Abstract

An apparatus and method for detecting infrared radiation is provided which comprises a temperature-sensing helical coiled-coil protein such as TIpA, CC1, collagen or myosin, incorporated into an electrically conductive film or gel deposited onto an electrically conductive medium such as an electrode, means for recording changes in conductivity or resistance of the conductive film or gel caused by the presence of infrared radiation and the effect of the infrared radiation on the thermal-sensing protein, and means to analyze the changes in conductivity or resistance in the conductive film caused by the infrared radiation so as to determine if infrared radiation is present. By virtue of the present invention, a “biomimetic” infrared sensor is provided which can integrate a recombinantly produced thermally sensitive protein in a conductive polymer matrix, such as a film or gel, so as to provide for the first time a low-cost, lightweight, conformable, and even possibly disposable, infrared detecting device having high sensitivity and excellent dynamic range.

Claims

1-4. -4. (canceled)

5. An apparatus for sensing infrared radiation comprising an electrically conductive film or gel containing therein a naturally occurring or recombinant temperature-sensing helical coiled-coil protein which undergoes reversible conformational change in the range of −

15°

C. to 60°

C., means for detecting the changes in conductivity or resistance of the conductive film or gel caused by the effect of infrared radiation on the protein, and means to determine the presence of infrared radiation based on the changes in conductivity or resistance of the conductive film or gel wherein the protein is TIpA8.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the protein has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

1.

7-13. -13. (canceled)

14. An electrically conductive film or gel suitable for use in an infrared detection device comprising a conductive polymer matrix having incorporated therein a naturally occurring or recombinant temperature-sensing helical coiled-coil protein capable of reversible conformational change in the range of −

15°

C. to 60°

C. wherein the protein is TIpA8.

15. An isolated recombinant protein comprising TIpA8.

16. The isolated protein according to claim 15 having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

1.

17. The isolated protein according to claim 15 further comprising a His tag.

18-21. -21. (canceled)