A protein molecule as a bioanalytical device Chemomechanical protein sensors

AbstractCross-linked protein solids are proposed as new types of chemomechanical sensors for identification of biological molecules and measurement of their concentration. New sensors make use of the ability of proteins to specifically bind its ligands and to alter their conformation upon the binding. The use of immobilized proteins enables these conformational changes to be detected through the changes in mechanical properties of protein solid samples (stress, stain or the Young's modulus). Some advantages of the new sensors over enzyme probes are illustrated on considering the properties of papain sensor for α-N-benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester