Nanoscale Positioning of Inorganic Nanoparticles using Biological Ferritin Arrays fabricated by Dip-Pen Nanolithography

Elena Bellido, Rocío de Miguel, Javier Sesé, Daniel Ruiz-Molina, Anabel Lostao, and Daniel Maspoch. Nanoscale Positioning of Inorganic Nanoparticles using Biological Ferritin Arrays fabricated by Dip-Pen Nanolithography. Scanning; II: 1,2; Cuartil Q2 (Instruments & Instrumentation), lugar 22 de 58. 2010, Vol. Vol 32 (isue 1), p. 35-2010.

In this manuscript we demonstrate the
spatially controlled immobilization of ferritin proteins
by directly writing them on a wide range of
substrates of technological interest. Optical and
fluorescence microscopy, AFM and TOF-SIMS
studies confirm the successful deposition of the
protein on those surfaces. Control on nanostructure
shape and size, by miniaturizing the dot-like features
down to a 100 nm, demonstrates the particular
capabilities of the DPN approach. Ultimately, this
study gives the opportunity to design nanoparticlebased
arrays regarding the growing interest in the
use of nanoparticles as structural and functional
elements for fabricating nanodevices. Herein, we
demonstrate how the protein shell of ferritins can be
removed by a simple heat-treatment process while
maintaining the encapsulated inorganic nanoparticle
intact on the same location of the nanoarray.
As a result, this study establishes how
direct-write DPN approach could give the opportunity
to design not only protein-based nanoarrays
but also nanoparticle-based nanoarrays with highresolution
and control.