2006 年 27 巻 3 号 p. 157-163
A new process was proposed which exploited protein-supramolecules as scaffolds for producing inorganic, functional nano-structures. This new process was named as “Bio Nano Process” (the BNP) and is applicable in a vast field of nanotechnology. For example, a protein supramolecule, ferritin can be used to form inorganic nanodot in its inner cavity. Using the self-assemble property of the ferritin protein, a two-dimensional array of iron-oxide loaded ferritin molecules can be formed on a Si substrate. Moreover, it is also demonstrated that control of protein-substrate interaction in the solution can realize ferritin placements on designed substrate area at will. Heat treatment removed protein moiety of ferritin molecules and can leave only the nanodots on the substrate. This newly proposed method is a powerful tool for the fabrication of nanometric functional structures.