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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
The proteins copper-zinc Superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), cytochrome c,myoglobin, hemoglobin, and bacterio-rhodopsin are encapsulated in stable,optically transparent, porous, silica glass matrices prepared by the sol-gelmethod such that the biomolecules retain their characteristic reactivitiesand spectroscopic properties. The resulting glasses allow transport of smallmolecules into and out of the glasses at reasonable rates but retain theprotein molecules within their pores. The transparency of the glassesenables the chemical reactions of the immobilized proteins to be monitoredby means of changes in their visible absorption spectra. Silica glassescontaining the immobilized proteins have similar reactivities andspectroscopic properties to those found for the proteins in solution. Theenzymes glucose oxidase and peroxidase were also encapsulated in transparentsilica glass matrices. Upon exposure to glucose solutions, a colored glassis formed that can be used as the active element in a solid state opticallybased glucose sensor. Likewise, gels containing oxalate oxidase andperoxidase exhibit spectroscopic changes upon exposure to aqueous solutionscontaining oxalic acid.