Nanoparticle-enzyme hybrid systems for nanobiotechnology

Biomolecule–nanoparticle (NP) [or quantum-dot (QD)] hybrid systems combine the recognition and biocatalytic properties of biomolecules with the unique electronic, optical, and catalytic features of NPs and yield composite materials with new functionalities. The biomolecule–NP hybrid systems allow the development of new biosensors, the synthesis of metallic nanowires, and the fabrication of nanostructured patterns of metallic or magnetic NPs on surfaces. These advances in nanobiotechnology are exemplified by the development of amperometric glucose sensors by the electrical contacting of redox enzymes by means of AuNPs, and the design of an optical glucose sensor by the biocatalytic growth of AuNPs. The biocatalytic growth of metallic NPs is used to fabricate Au and Ag nanowires on surfaces. The fluorescence properties of semiconductor QDs are used to develop competitive maltose biosensors and to probe the biocatalytic functions of proteases. Similarly, semiconductor NPs, associated with electrodes, are used to photoactivate bioelectrocatalytic cascades while generating photocurrents.