Sensors based on nanomaterial of biological origin

The authors select bacteriorhodopsin (BR) nanomaterial for sensor applications. For small molecules, the optical phase variation over the dimensions of the molecule cannot be neglected in the analysis of the optical activity (OA), explaining the high sensitivity of OA to molecular structure changes. The BR nanomaterial used presents light-dependent proton pumping of halobacteria and includes two functions: first, it can be observed as an actuator generating H⁺ on the cell membrane. At the same time its is able to play the role of photoreceptor (sensor), and this function is connected with its proton transportation activity. Together with this, there is a mechanism, which, guided by a control signal from outside, can manipulate protons. Thus, they have a functional device of biological origin, expressing features of the proton-nanostructure interaction.