SOL-GEL ENCAPSULATED LIGHT-TRANSDUCING PROTEIN PHYCOERYTHRIN - A NEW BIOMATERIAL

An optically transparent biomaterial is produced by encapsulating a li ght-transducing protein, phycoerythrin, in a sol-gel matrix. Absorptio n and fluorescence measurements indicate that the protein not only ret ains its native optical properties in the sol-gel matrix but also show s an enhanced stability toward photodegradation. Two-photon induced fl uorescence is observed from phycoerythrin in both solution and sol-gel matrices. The potential application of this biomaterial in biosensors , three-dimensional biomolecular imaging, and three-dimensional optica l storage is discussed.