Realization and Properties of Biochemical-Computing Biocatalytic XOR Gate Based on Enzyme Inhibition by a Substrate

We consider a realization of the XOR logic gate in a process biocatalyzed by an enzyme (here horseradish peroxidase: HRP), the function of which can be inhibited by a substrate (hydrogen peroxide for HRP), when the latter is inputted at large enough concentrations. A model is developed for describing such systems in an approach suitable for evaluation of the analog noise amplification properties of the gate. The obtained data are fitted for gate quality evaluation within the developed model, and we discuss aspects of devising XOR gates for functioning in "biocomputing" systems utilizing biomolecules for information processing

Multianalyte Digital Enzyme Biosensors with Built-in Boolean Logic

Multianalyte Digital Enzyme Biosensors with Built-in Boolean Logi

Keypad Lock Security System Based on Immune-Affinity Recognition Integrated with a Switchable Biofuel Cell

An immune-based biorecognition system mimicking a keypad lock device was integrated with a switchable biofuel cell resulting in the power output change upon the correct input of the “password” encoded in the antibody-sequence

Realization of Associative Memory in an Enzymatic Process: Toward Biomolecular Networks with Learning and Unlearning Functionalities

We report a realization of an associative memory signal/information processing system based on simple enzyme-catalyzed biochemical reactions. Optically detected chemical output is always obtained in response to the triggering input, but the system can also “learn” by association, to later respond to the second input if it is initially applied in combination with the triggering input as the “training” step. This second chemical input is not self-reinforcing in the present system, which therefore can later “unlearn” to react to the second input if it is applied several times on its own. Such processing steps realized with (bio)­chemical kinetics promise applications of bioinspired/memory-involving components in “networked” (concatenated) biomolecular processes for multisignal sensing and complex information processing

Artificial Muscle Reversibly Controlled by Enzyme Reactions

Chemically induced actuation of a polypyrrole (Ppy) artificial muscle was controlled by biocatalytic reactions, resulting in changes in the redox state of the polymer film mediated by soluble redox species. The biocatalytic process triggered by diaphorase in the presence of NADH resulting in the reduction of the Ppy film was reflected by the potential shift in the negative direction generated in the film. Conversely, the biocatalytic process driven by laccase in the presence of O₂ resulted in the oxidation of the Ppy film, thus yielding the positive potential shift. Both reactions produced opposite bending of the Ppy flexible strip, allowing reversible actuation controlled by the biocatalytic processes. The biocatalytic reactions governing the chemical actuator can be extended to multistep cascades processing various patterns of biochemical signals and mimicking logic networks. The present chemical actuator exemplifies the first mechanochemical device controlled by biochemical means with the possibility to scale up the complexity of the biochemical signal-processing system

Implanted Biofuel Cell Operating in a Living Snail

Implantable biofuel cells have been suggested as sustainable micropower sources operating in living organisms, but such bioelectronic systems are still exotic and very challenging to design. Very few examples of abiotic and enzyme-based biofuel cells operating in animals in vivo have been reported. Implantation of biocatalytic electrodes and extraction of electrical power from small living creatures is even more difficult and has not been achieved to date. Here we report on the first implanted biofuel cell continuously operating in a snail and producing electrical power over a long period of time using physiologically produced glucose as a fuel. The “electrified” snail, being a biotechnological living “device”, was able to regenerate glucose consumed by biocatalytic electrodes, upon appropriate feeding and relaxing, and then produce a new “portion” of electrical energy. The snail with the implanted biofuel cell will be able to operate in a natural environment, producing sustainable electrical micropower for activating various bioelectronic devices

Biomolecular Filters for Improved Separation of Output Signals in Enzyme Logic Systems Applied to Biomedical Analysis

Biomolecular logic systems processing biochemical input signals and producing “digital” outputs in the form of YES/NO were developed for analysis of physiological conditions characteristic of liver injury, soft tissue injury, and abdominal trauma. Injury biomarkers were used as input signals for activating the logic systems. Their normal physiological concentrations were defined as logic-0 level, while their pathologically elevated concentrations were defined as logic-1 values. Since the input concentrations applied as logic 0 and 1 values were not sufficiently different, the output signals being at low and high values (0, 1 outputs) were separated with a short gap making their discrimination difficult. Coupled enzymatic reactions functioning as a biomolecular signal processing system with a built-in filter property were developed. The filter process involves a partial back-conversion of the optical-output-signal-yielding product, but only at its low concentrations, thus allowing the proper discrimination between 0 and 1 output values

Electrochemically Controlled Drug-Mimicking Protein Release from Iron-Alginate Thin-Films Associated with an Electrode

Novel biocompatible hybrid-material composed of iron-ion-cross-linked alginate with embedded protein molecules has been designed for the signal-triggered drug release. Electrochemically controlled oxidation of Fe²⁺ ions in the presence of soluble natural alginate polymer and drug-mimicking protein (bovine serum albumin, BSA) results in the formation of an alginate-based thin-film cross-linked by Fe³⁺ ions at the electrode interface with the entrapped protein. The electrochemically generated composite thin-film was characterized by electrochemistry and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Preliminary experiments demonstrated that the electrochemically controlled deposition of the protein-containing thin-film can be performed at microscale using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) as the deposition tool producing polymer-patterned spots potentially containing various entrapped drugs. Application of reductive potentials on the modified electrode produced Fe²⁺ cations which do not keep complexation with alginate, thus resulting in the electrochemically triggered thin-film dissolution and the protein release. Different experimental parameters, such as the film-deposition time, concentrations of compounds and applied potentials, were varied in order to demonstrate that the electrodepositon and electrodissolution of the alginate composite film can be tuned to the optimum performance. A statistical modeling technique was applied to find optimal conditions for the formation of the composite thin-film for the maximal encapsulation and release of the drug-mimicking protein at the lowest possible potential