Silicon nano-needles with specific attachment point for visualization of protein movement

We have fabricated silicon nano-needles of 140 nm diameter and 1.5 μm length for visualization of motor protein movement. Due to the geometry of the needles, they are ideal to amplify and visualize angular movement. To enable a well-defined and highly localized needle-protein connection, a specifically functionalized attachment point was included. For bioassay applications, mass production of needles in quantities of millions was implemented by a highly parallel fabrication process. Resulting needles were investigated in respect to uniformity and durability. Application of the nano-needles to motor protein motion are reported. Rotational movement of a single protein was successfully visualized by the needles.