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US 7,592,153 B2Granted
Method of reducing metal ions to elemental metal in the vicinity of an oxido-reductase enzyme
AssigneeNanoprobes, Inc.
InventorJames F. Hainfeld
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Abstract
Disclosed are methods and materials for utilizing enzymes to act on metal ions in solution so that the ions are reduced to metal. Additionally disclosed is how to use enzymes to accumulate metal particles. The alteration of metal particles by enzymes interacting with the organic shell of the particles is also described. These methods enable a wide range of applications including sensitive detection of genes and proteins, use as probes for microscopy, nanofabrication, biosensors, and remediation.
Claims43
A method of depositing elemental metal in the vicinity of an oxido-reductase enzyme, comprising:
- combining an oxido-reductase enzyme with metal ions, an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent;
- incubating the oxido-reductase enzyme with the metal ions in the presence of the oxidizing agent and the reducing agent, whereby the metal ions are reduced to elemental metal;
- and
- depositing the elemental metal in the vicinity of the oxido-reductase enzyme, wherein the metal ions are selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, copper, lead, and cesium ions and a mixture thereof.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.