Organic Conducting Polymer-Protein Interactions

In this review, we provide insight into protein interactions with organic conducting polymers, a class of intelligent and dynamic materials that offer unique strategies for controlling protein interactions as a prelude to developing a wide range of bioapplications. Following a general introduction on the importance of protein interactions, this review initially focuses on the areas of bioseparation and biosensor applications. These applications amount to an extensive body of work; however, we provide only a brief overview for the purpose of introducing palpable examples of translating the ability to control organic conducting polymer protein interactions into practical and useful applications. Because organic conducting polymers are breaking new ground for implantable electrodes and tissue regeneration/engineering, we duly turn to the importance of protein interactions and role organic conducting polymers can play in advancing these applications. Lastly, for those not familiar with organic conducting polymers, we take a step back and examine the unique properties underlying their innate ability to control protein interactions, particularly the use of external electrical control to reversibly switch the physical surface properties. Several characterization techniques identified as being critical to our understanding at the macroscopic down to the single molecule level are also highlighted.