Block Copolymer Nanotemplates for Aligning Actin Filaments

R. J. Composto and Y. Goldman

Objective: Prepare soft templates for aligning systems of biomolecules such as actin. Goals and strategy:

1. Prepare nanostructured block copolymer films with periodicity, L, commensurate with biomolecule.

2. Create topographically varying surfaces of block copolymers.

3. Deposit and align f-actin on templates prepared in (1) and (2).

These templates can be used to align any long ridged molecule such as carbon nanotubes or nanowires.

Conclusions:

1. Block copolymer films have been made with dimensions compatible with f-actin diameter, 7-8nm.

2. Imaging of f-actin has proved challenging due to its fragile nature.

3. Experiments are underway to improve f-actin stability and their imaging on the nanotemplate