Laser-assisted deposition of bacteriorhodhopsin assemblies

Supramolecular assemblies of bacteriorhodhopsin (bR) have been formed by in corporating bR in a matrix of L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine distearoyl (DSPC) molecules. The preformed assemblies have been physically lifted and deposi ted onto solid substrates by the laser-assisted deposition (LAD) technique. The bR assemblies thus deposited have been characterized using a variety o f techniques like absorption studies, optical microscopy and x-ray diffract ion. The structural and functional properties of the bR assemblies are foun d to be preserved after LAD.