Peptides are the next step in developing bioelectric devices

Engineers from the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle have developed peptides able to transmit data from biological elements to artificial tools, reducing the need for invasive materials like metals and plastics, according to a report published Sept. 22 in Scientific Reports.

While current artificial treatments can help heal the body, many of them can leave scars and lead to discomfort for the the patient with foreign objects inside the body. The ability to bridge the gap between biology to exchange biochemistry information to our devices would create seamless bioelectric devices fit for the human body.

The genetically engineered peptides are able to form nanowires on two-dimensional surfaces that are only a single layer of atoms. This nanowire structure allows the peptides to transmit information across a bio/nano interface through recognition. The two-way communication teaches the peptides the “language” of technology while the technology become able to communicate with the biological elements, producing an understanding relationship of bioelectric interface.

"Bridging this divide would be the key to building the genetically engineered biomolecular solid-state devices of the future," said Mehmet Sarikaya, UW professor in the Departments of Materials Science & Engineering, in a statement.

The next step of the UW team is find peptides able to interact with materials like gold and titanium, as well as minerals like teeth and bone. The ideal peptide would be able to communication between synthetic material to other biomolecules or seamlessly transmit between synthetic and biological materials.

The team recently discovered the GrBP5 peptide as having promising interactions with semimetal graphene. The GrBP5 was mutated until it was able to alter the electrical conductivity of a graphene-based device, presenting the first step toward the transfer of electrical data to cells through peptides. Further modifications gave GrBP5 the ability to convert a chemical signal to an optical signal.

"In a way, we're at the flood gates," said Sarikaya in the release. "Now we need to explore the basic properties of this bridge and how we can modify it to permit the flow of information from electronic and photonic devices to biological systems."