Biotechnological Use of Bacteriorhodopsin as Memory Storage
Department
Biological Sciences
Major
Biological Sciences
Research Advisor
Westenberg, David J.
Mormile, Melanie R.
Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Funding Source
Missouri S&T Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) Program
Abstract
Rhodopsins are pigment proteins in retinal tissues that make up photoreceptive cells. Various forms of rhodopsins, such as bacteriorhodopsin, which acts as a proton pump in many halophilic Archaea, channel-rhodopsin, and halorhodopsin can be used to create a binary system capable of storing data as temporary and longterm memory. When illuminated with various wavelengths of light, bacteriorhodopsin undergoes a conformational change from ground state to excited state.
Bacteriorhodopsin can be cultivated industrially from Archaea such as Halobacterium salinarum and bacteria such as Escherichia coli. It can effectively be extracted via dialysis and centrifugation. Alternating wavelengths of light can be used to induce an excited state (M state, 460nm) from its ground state (B state, 500-650nm), establishing a functional binary system.
The exploration of a biological memory system would ease the global dependence on silicon based memory systems and devices.
Biography
Brandon is a graduating senior at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. He joined the Biological Sciences department as a freshman in August 2008. Brandon has been involved in several research projects, including analyzing gene families of Glycine max and characterizing the halophile, Halorubrum salsolis.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
10 Apr 2012, 9:00 am - 11:45 am
Biotechnological Use of Bacteriorhodopsin as Memory Storage
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Rhodopsins are pigment proteins in retinal tissues that make up photoreceptive cells. Various forms of rhodopsins, such as bacteriorhodopsin, which acts as a proton pump in many halophilic Archaea, channel-rhodopsin, and halorhodopsin can be used to create a binary system capable of storing data as temporary and longterm memory. When illuminated with various wavelengths of light, bacteriorhodopsin undergoes a conformational change from ground state to excited state.
Bacteriorhodopsin can be cultivated industrially from Archaea such as Halobacterium salinarum and bacteria such as Escherichia coli. It can effectively be extracted via dialysis and centrifugation. Alternating wavelengths of light can be used to induce an excited state (M state, 460nm) from its ground state (B state, 500-650nm), establishing a functional binary system.
The exploration of a biological memory system would ease the global dependence on silicon based memory systems and devices.
