Optical Sensors Based on S-Layer Proteins

In this paper the use of a special class of self assembling protein materials for optical sensor technology is discussed. These S-layer proteins were reassembled into well defined nanostructures on solid sensor surfaces. The covalent immobilization of fluorescent dyes onto these protein structures was investigated. Following this approach a new oxygen sensitive system based on S-layers functionalized with Pt(II) metalloporphyrin is described. A luminescence lifetime based measurement system for dissolved oxygen sensing was successfully developed.