Appeal No. 2003-1018
Application No. 09/093,771
Yoshimura is directed to the formation of protein which is two-dimensionally
aggregated and fixed to produce a functional thin film. Abstract. In particular, a
denatured film of a first protein is formed on the surface of a substrate solution such as
an aqueous sugar or salt solution. A solution of a second protein, which may be the
same or different from the first protein, is then injected below the surface of the
substrate solution at a distance sufficient not to disturb the surface protein. The
substrate solution has a higher surface tension and specific gravity than the second
protein solution causing the second protein to float between the denatured protein film
and the substrate solution surface to form the two-dimensionally aggregated solution
and fixed protein. Id. In an alternative embodiment, Yoshimura describes the
formation of a a lipid monolayer on the surface of the substrate solution. In this
embodiment, a protein solution is injected below the surface of the substrate solution
and the protein floats between the substrate solution surface and the lipid mono-layer to
form the two dimensionally aggregated and fixed protein. Id.
In the specific example set forth in Yoshimura, a two-dimensional film is formed
of two layers of ferritin protein. The substrate solution used to form this film contains
“dissolved glucose and salts (NaCl, KCl or the like).” Yoshimura, column 4, lines 1-4.
More particularly, a substrate solution example contains glucose, NaCl,
dimethylsulfoxide, poly(ethylene glycerol) and glycerol. Column 4, lines 38-61.
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