Electroactive luminescent self-assembled bio-organic nanowires:: Integration of semiconducting oligoelectrolytes within amyloidogenic proteins

Electroactive luminescent bio-organic nanowires, 10 nm in width and with lengths up to 10 mu m (see Figure), are generated through co-assembly of protein amyloid fibrils with conjugated oligoelectrolytes. The electro-optical properties of the wires are demonstrated with reversible electrochemical doping-induced fluorescence quenching, providing evidence for both electrical transport and electroactivity.