Joanne I. Yeh

 

Associate Professor, Department of Structural Biology

1036 Biomedical Science Tower 3

412-648-9027, 9008(fax)

jiyeh@pitt.edu

http://www.structbio.pitt.edu/drupal-5/?q=joanne-yeh

 

 

The ability to monitor biorecognition events and interactions on nanoplatforms offer unprecedented avenues for screening and detection at increasing sensitivities. Joanne Yeh’s group integrates atomic resolution structures of biological macromolecules with nanoelectrodes to produce highly efficient nanobiosensors. Enhancement in sensitivity is gained from optimization of the geometrical parameters comprising the various components of a biosensor. As in enzyme systems, rate improvements can occur from proximity and geometric effects, with potential enhancements of 102 to 103 at each junction, resulting in what we call ‘coordinated biosensing’. In these sensors, the various centers are more optimally aligned to tranduce signals efficiently. We have produced ultrasensitive biosensors by precise alignment of the biological elements to nanoelectrodes platforms, highlighting the potential and feasibility of utilizing these in medical diagnostic and detection applications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Model of a biosensor assembly based on the atomic coordinates of the NADH peroxidase and a metallized peptide that is a conduit of electronic signal between the redox enzyme and nanoelectrode (left).

SEM of the NADH peroxidase assembly labeled with gold nanoparticles, covalently linked to the tips of highly ordered carbon nanotubes (CNT). In the array, the specific localization of the enzyme to the tips is possible through reaction with carboxyl groups formed by acid etching then activated by conventional EDC/NHS chemistry (right).