Immobilization of biomaterials on nanopatterned surface using nanoporous alumina for biodevices

Nanobiodevices have been required to improve their performance based on their small size. Nanopatterning itself is a very important process in the fabrication of nanobiodevices. Furthermore, there are many challenges in immobilization of biomaterials on a nanopatterned surface, since the performance of biodevices is highly affected by the state of immobilized biomaterials on the substrate. In this paper, we introduce a simple and versatile approach for nanopatterning biomaterials using nanoporous alumina. Uniform nanoconcave patterns were revealed on the surface of aluminum after the removal of nanoporous alumina formed during anodization. Au was deposited on the nanopatterned surface by sputtering. Cysteine-modified azurin was then immobilized on the Au nanopatterned surface by self-assembled layer formation without any organic linker materials. The samples were investigated by phase contrast imaging in tapping mode of atomic force microscopy. These methods can be used for nanopatterning various biomaterials for their application to biochip and other bioelectronic devices.