Engineering the Bioelectronic Interface

This program, is associated with controlled modulation of the electrochemical & mechanical coupling between metalloproteins, enzymes and man-made electrode interfaces. This modulation makes use of both genetic manipulation of the protein interfacial characteristics and surface chemistry. Through control of surface-bound orientation of these molecules the tunnelling distances, and so the rates of electron transfer, can be controlled. Such controlled bioelectrochemical coupling is both routinely studied at the molecular level and utilised in the generation of enzyme-derived sensory systems. Many of the principles associated with this work are aided by routine molecular-scale analysis.