Manipulating and Monitoring Biomolecular Interactions with Conducting Electroactive Polymers

Abstract

The use of conducting electroactive polymers (CEPs) to monitor and manipulate biomolecular interactions is reviewed in this article. Examples involving simple amino acids, more complex protein structures, DNA, and even whole living cells are discussed. The work described clearly demonstrates that the ability of CEPs to interact with biomolecular systems is dependent on polymer composition and on electrical stimuli applied to the polymer in situ. This provides a versatile molecular platform that is proving useful in the development of new biosensing and bioseparation technologies as well as providing a new means of cellular communications. This latter aspect is particularly exciting in that it has already been demonstrated that nerve cell growth can occur on these new platforms and electrical stimulation can be used to encourage neurite outgrowth.