biotech

Nanoscale Biological Switch Using Chlorophyll-a Molecule

Filed in archive Diagnostics, Methodologies and Instrumentation , Energy, Environment and Ecology , Nanomedicine on September 6, 2006

Nanoscale Biological Switch Using Chlorophyll-a Molecule
Chorolphyll is a pivotal molecule in the photosynthesis process. Using a scanning tunneling microscope, nanoscientists from the Ohio University were able to manipulate the configuration of the spinach chlorophyll-a molecule in four different positions (see photo left), with may be potentially used as a biological switch.
The work has immediate implications for basic science research, as the configuration of molecules and proteins impacts biological functions. The study also suggests a novel route for creating nanoscale logic circuits or mechanical switches for future medical, computer technology or green energy applications, said Hla, an associate professor of physics.

Their study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. A video showing the different conformations may also be viewed here.



Permalink: Nanoscale Biological Switch Using Chlorophyll-a Molecule

Tags: nanotechnology  chlorophyll  biotech  nanoscale  biological  chlorophyll+molecule  biological+switch  using 

Vote for Nanoscale Biological Switch Using Chlorophyll-a Molecule:

  • Currently 9.40/10
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
Rating: 9.40 out of 5 vote(s) cast.
 
Share It
RSSrss
Google google
Yahoo! yahoo
Addthis Subscribe using any feed reader!
Bloglines Bloglines
Most Popular   Best of   Biotech Hubs and Facilities   Biotech/Science Blogs   Corporate and Industrial News   Diagnostics, Methodologies and Instrumentation   Did you know   Drugs, Vaccines and Therapeutics   Energy, Environment and Ecology   Food and Agriculture   Gene Therapy   Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics   Information About   Meetings and Other Events   Microbiology   Misc   Nanomedicine   Other Biotechnology News   Patents and Intellectual Property Rights   Quick introduction   Stem Cells