Smart Immobilization of oligopeptides through electrochemical deposition onto surface Original Research Article

A novel method for electrochemical molecular immobilization has been developed. Molecular immobilization on an electroconductive material surface is achieved by genetic and chemical introduction of a tag. The immobilization reaction is based on the remarkable phenomenon of neutral metal complex formation on a redox interface. For electrochemical immobilization, a metal coordinative peptide (EC tag) is introduced to the target molecule and is coordinated with a divalent metal ion. In the electrochemical immobilization process, the coordinated metal in the oligopeptide is reduced to the zero-valent metal state and is deposited on the electroconductive substrate. In the present study, we exploit our previous findings to carry out electrochemical peptide immobilization. This immobilization process can be modulated by an applied potential. Although the immobilized peptide is tightly attached the substrate, it can be removed by oxidation of deposited metal though application of an oxidation potential. The method can be employed for the immobilization of various molecules, e.g. proteins, peptides, and nano-materials, on electroconductive solid surfaces. The unique advantages of the present molecular immobilization method are the ease of application and the novel molecular modulations that are achievable.