Biomolecular Optical Nanostructures

Biology provides a vast number of examples of nanostructures produced at a level of precision that is superior to those that we can produce in the laboratory. The diversity of naturally occurring S-layers suggests that the nature of these self-assembledstructures is genetically controlled and can therefore be manipulated through recombinant processes. In this Phase I research plan, Agave BioSystems proposes to combine S-layers, a self-organizing component of bacterial cell walls, with newly describedluminescent nanoparticles to generate novel structures containing regular arrays of photoactivatable fluorescent materials. This approach can yield complex optical nanostructures much faster and much cheaper than by other nanofabrication techniques. Ofparticular interest is the use of these optical nanoarrays for high-density data storage. Data storage using this technology would not only yield significantly greater capacity, but would also increase access speeds, improve reliability and reducemanufacturing costs. Revolutionary new electronic and optical devices could be made possible with the ability to reliably create large arrays of nanoparticulate systems. Possible applications include optical data storage devices, deep UV and x-raydiffraction devices and optical components, and novel biomedical fluorescent detection devices. Once the technology is fully developed, these nanostructures could have a significant impact on the multi-billion dollar computer, optoelectronics, andcommunications markets.