Genetically engineered polypeptide for differential recognition of platinum on microfabricated structures

By evolution, nature has created an astonishing collection of micro and nano scale structures. In this paper, we discuss the development of a "molecular toolkit" which builds the basis for the biomimetic natural processes. As the first step, we have demonstrated the capability to identify polypeptides that specifically bind to an inorganic (platinum) and differentiate between this metal and other inorganic surfaces such as silicon dioxide and gold. We have achieved the integration of the polypeptides with a microfabricated heterogeneous substrate, by selectively immobilizing them on the specific inorganic materials. In the future, this "toolkit", integrating micro-, nano- and biotechnology, can be used for the development of new generation of biomimetic manufacturing process.