Photolithographic Patterning of Bacteriorhodopsin Films

A novel bacteriorhodopsin (bR) patterning technique utilizing photolithographic processes is presented. This process allows the oriented deposition and patterning of dried bR thin films onto flat substrates. Standard lithographic techniques are used to pattern the substrate and electrodeposition is used to deposit and orient the purple membrane film, which contains bR. An acetone sonication bath is used to remove the resist and pattern the membrane. The physical and photoelectric properties of dried PM films are shown to be undamaged by the patterning process, and patterns with 60 mum feature sizes are shown. PM liquid suspension density prior to electrodeposition as well as acetone sonication time are reported on.