The reproducible preparation of gold electrodes modified by bilayers containing cytochrome c oxidase is the goal of this research project supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program. These electrode surfaces will be designed to exhibit direct electron transfer activity between the enzyme and the gold electrode surface, and functional electron transfer mechanisms of oxidative phosphorylation will be probed using these modified electrode surfaces. The way in which electrons are transferred in membrane systems is of fundamental importance to the understanding of many biochemical problems. In this project model membrane bound protein systems will be attached to gold surfaces and the electron transfer processes that occur in them will be extensively characterized. This will both provide an increased understanding of biological processes and will lay the groundwork for the rational design of electrochemical biosensors.
