Method and apparatus for use of thermally switching proteins in sensing and detecting devices

Abstract

An apparatus and method for detecting infrared radiation is provided which comprises a temperature-sensing helical coiled-coil protein such as TIpA, CC1, collagen or myosin, incorporated into an electrically conductive film or gel deposited onto an electrically conductive medium, means for recording changes in conductivity or resistance of the conductive film or gel caused by the presence of infrared radiation and its effect on the thermal-sensing protein, and means to analyze the changes in conductivity or resistance in the conductive film caused thereby so as to determine if infrared radiation is present. By virtue of the present invention, a “biomimetic” infrared sensor is provided which can integrate a recombinantly produced thermally sensitive protein in a conductive polymer matrix, such as a film or gel, and provide a low-cost, lightweight, conformable, and disposable infrared detecting device having high sensitivity and excellent dynamic range.

1 . An apparatus for sensing infrared radiation comprising an electrically conductive film or gel containing therein a temperature-sensing helical coiled-coil protein capable of reversible conformational change in the range of −15° C. to 60° C., means for detecting the changes in conductivity or resistance of the conductive film or gel caused by the effect of infrared radiation on the protein, and means to determine the presence of infrared radiation based on the changes in conductivity or resistance of the conductive film or gel.  
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the means for detecting the changes in conductivity or resistance of the conductive film caused by the effect of infrared radiation on the protein comprises a multimeter capable of sensing changes in conductivity or resistance.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the means to determine the presence of infrared radiation based on the detected changes in conductivity or resistance of the conductive film comprises a computer.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the protein is selected from the group of proteins including TIpA, collagen, myosin and CC1.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the protein is TIpA8.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the protein has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the conductive film or gel comprises a conductive polymer containing the temperature-sensing helical coiled-coil protein.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the conductive film or gel comprises a polymer having incorporated therein a conductive material.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly(ethylene oxide), polyethylene-co-vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl acetate), gelatin, acacia, and poly(vinyl alcohol)  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein the conductive material incorporated into the polymer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of carbon black, silver flakes, gold particles, and metal coated ceramics.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the electrically conductive film or gel containing therein a temperature-sensing helical coiled-coil protein comprises a plurality of films or gels arranged in a sensing array.  
     
     
         12 . An electrically conductive film or gel suitable for use in an infrared detection device comprising a conductive polymer matrix having incorporated therein a temperature-sensing helical coiled-coil protein capable of reversible conformational change in the range of −15° C. to 60° C.  
     
     
         13 . The electrically conductive film according to  claim 12  wherein the protein is selected from the group consisting of TIpA, collagen and myosin.  
     
     
         14 . The electrically conductive film according to  claim 12  wherein the protein is TIpA8.  
     
     
         15 . The electrically conductive film or gel according to  claim 12  wherein the film or gel is suitable for use in silk-screening.  
     
     
         16 . A method of detecting infrared radiation comprising the steps of positioning the apparatus according to  claim 1  so as to be able to receive infrared radiation, and detecting the presence of infrared radiation by virtue of the electrical signaling caused by the conformational changes of the temperature-sensing helical coiled-coil protein in the apparatus.  
     
     
         17 . A method of detecting infrared radiation comprising the steps of incorporating a temperature-sensing helical coiled-coil protein capable of reversible conformational change in the range of −15° C. to 60° C. into a conductive polymeric matrix, connecting the matrix to a suitable electrical device that can detect the change in conductivity or resistance caused in the conductive matrix by virtue of the conformational changes of the temperature-sensing helical coiled-coil protein, and determining the presence of infrared radiation on the basis of the change in conductivity or resistance in the conductive matrix.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein the protein is selected from the group of proteins including TIpA, TIpA8, collagen, myosin and CC1.