SoftBioArt · Soft-Bioelectrochemistry for Artificial Respiratory Chain

All cells contain tiny molecular motors made from a large family of proteins including enzymes and antibodies that help the cell produce energy, move, and move material inside the cell. While several biomolecular motors have been identified, the remaining challenges are determining how these species transfer information from one region of a motor to another and how the malfunctioning of these can lead to the development of several diseases. One timely example is the detrimental effect that a disrupted mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) can produce in human beings (e.g., cancer, neurodegeneration, heart failure). The SoftBioArt project will explore a new paradigm in ETC by achieving an efficient inter-protein electron transfer at electrified soft-interfaces and to using this platform to pinpoint any weak points for possible electron leakage during the ETC. The SoftBioArt program will result in a new platform bringing biomimetic modified soft-interfaces to a new level, to demystify one of the most relevant living machines within mitochondria (respiratory ETC) where any malfunctioning is linked to the development of several chronic human diseases. Thus, the SofBioArt program will develop model membrane systems that will serve as scaffolds harbouring protein and enzymes of the ETC at soft-interfaces maximizing the electron transfer efficiency at an electrified soft-interface. The SoftBioArt project pushes the boundaries of the current state-of-the-art of bioelectrochemistry at soft-interfaces to determine if this unexplored system can bridge the gap between solid electrode bioelectrochemistry and living systems.