Ricerc@Sapienza

The rising importance of proteomics, i.e. the study of the proteins content and their functionality within a cell, requires the challenging task of protein sequencing with a reliable, fast and cheap method. New sequencing methods are, indeed, needed to overcome the limitations of the experimental techniques presently employed that, practically, preclude the possibility of reliable sequencing of the huge protein population within a single cell, two orders of magnitude larger than the human genome.
Recently many applications of nano-devices and nano-structured materials have allowed the development of new nano-technology strategies to attain DNA sequencing using, for instance, the ion blockade current signals flowing through a nanopore during DNA translocation. However such strategy is of little aid in the case of protein sequencing for many reasons related, basically, to the more complex variety of objects to be detected.
Recently, transverse current measurements through nano-gaps have been considered for protein sequencing using mainly Au based nano-device.
The present project is oriented to study new graphene based nano-devices to measure the quantum tunneling current through a nano-gap; the aim is to define a possible alternative strategy to recognize individual amino-acids in a peptide chain or protein and obtain fast, reliable and cheap protein sequencing. We propose a proof of concept study performing state of the art atomistic modeling simulation of the current flowing across the gap based on first principles calculations and non equilibrium Green function method in the frame of the Landauer-Buttiker approach.