Dopa and dopamine modification of metal oxide semiconductors, method for attaching biological molecules to semiconductors

Abstract

A method is provided for selective binding and detecting target molecules, and a method for detecting biological molecules, the method comprising supplying a semi-conductor capable of charge pair separation, and juxtaposing affinity moieties to the semi-conductor so as to effect changes in the charge pair separation characteristics when the affinity molecules are bound to the target molecules.

The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed is defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A method for detecting molecules, the method comprising: 
 a) determining the electronic status of a semi-conductor;    b) establishing electronic communication between the molecules and the semiconductor;    c) subjecting the semi-conductor to energy influx;    d) redetermining the electronic status of the semi-conductor.    
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the energy level is determined optically.  
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the energy level is determined electrically.  
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the semiconductors are are octahedral metal oxides.  
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the semiconductors are metal oxides selected from the group consisting of TiO 2 , VO 2 , ZrO 2 , Fe 3 O 4 , MnO 2 , NiO, CuO, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein bidentate moieties are positioned intermediate the molecules and the semiconductors.  
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the moieties are dihydroxyl phenyls selected from the group consisting of 1,2 dihydroxyl phenylamine, 1,2-dihydroxyl phenyl alanine, 1,2-dihydroxyl benzoic acid, 1,2-dihydroxy glycine, 1,2 dihydroxy benzyl amine, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor further comprises a valence band and a conductive band, whereby the valence band contains electrons.  
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the energy influx induces the electrons to relocate to the conductance band.  
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the molecules are electron donators.  
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the molecules are electron acceptors.  
     
     
         12 . A method for detecting biological molecules, the method comprising: 
 a) supplying a semi-conductor having a first energy level and a second energy level and whereby the first energy level corresponds to a first optical characteristic of the semi-conductor;    b) establishing electrical contact between the semi-conductor and the molecules;    c) causing electrons to move from the molecule to the second energy level; and    d) monitoring any change in the first optical characteristic.    
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the biological molecule extracts electrons from the semi-conductor.  
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the biological molecule donates electrons to the semi-conductor.  
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein a bidentate moiety is intermediate the semi-conductor and the biological molecule.  
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 12  wherein a moiety capable of withdrawing electrons from the biological molecule is in electrical communication with the molecule.  
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 12  wherein a moiety capable of donating electrons to the biological molecule is in electrical communication with the molecule.  
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 12  wherein the semiconductors are octahedral metal oxides.  
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the semi-conductor is between 1 and 20 nanometers in diameter.  
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 12  wherein the step of causing electrons to move results in the formation of an oxidative region on the semi-conductor.  
     
     
         21 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the oxidative region facilitates cleavage of molecules.  
     
     
         22 . A method for detecting target moieties in situ, the method comprising: 
 a) binding biological material to nanocrystalline semiconductor particles, wherein the material has an affinity to the target moiety;    b) facilitating entry of the bound material into an organelle; and    c) subjecting the semiconductor to radiation sufficient to produce a charge pair separation on the semiconductor's surface.    
     
     
         23 . The method as recited in  claim 22  wherein the biological material is genetic material.  
     
     
         24 . The method as recited in  claim 22  wherein the organelle is a nucleus of a cell.  
     
     
         25 . The method as recited in  claim 22  wherein the charge pair separation is detected via Electron Paramagnetic Resonance.  
     
     
         26 . The method as recited in  claim 22  wherein the charge separation is detected via an electronic signal.  
     
     
         27 . The method as recited in  claim 26  wherein the signal can be amplified.