Microtubule-Mediated Electron Transport Between Acceptor and Donor Complexes

Abstract

This research investigates the ability of microtubules, a rigid, cellular structure on the nanometer scale, to transport electrons between Tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) chloride and Cyanine7 NHS Ester, as well as Ir 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine and Cyanine7 NHS Ester. Using UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, the spectral overlap between these acceptor-donor pairs, and consequently, the viability of electron transfer between these compounds was determined. Due to the significant spectral overlap between Tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) chloride and Cyanine7, pure electron transport could not be determined between the two compounds without the presence of energy transport. However, It appears that there was some electron transport between as Ir 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine and Cyanine7 using steady state experiments. These results show that microtubules do provide a venue for electron transport between compounds, and these findings could have profound implications for research in biolelectronics and neurodegenerative disease.