Multi-bit biomemory consisting of recombinant protein variants, azurin

Abstract

In this study a protein-based multi-bit biomemory device consisting of recombinant azurin with its cysteine residue modified by site-directed mutagenesis method has been developed. The recombinant azurin was directly immobilized on four different gold (Au) electrodes patterned on a single silicon substrate. Using cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA) and open circuit potential amperometry (OCPA) methods the memory function of the fabricated biodevice was validated. The charge transfer occurs between protein molecules and Au electrode enables a bi-stable electrical conductivity allowing the system to be used as a digital memory device. Data storage is achieved by applying redox potentials which are within the range of 200 mV. Oxidation and open circuit potentials with current sensing were used for writing and reading operations respectively. Applying oxidation potentials in different combinations to each Au electrodes, multi-bit information was stored in to the azurin molecules. Finally, the switching robustness and reliability of the proposed device has been examined. The results suggest that the proposed device has a function of memory and can be used for the construction of nano-scale multi-bit information storage device. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All Fights reserved.