Trends in the layer-by-layer assembly of redox proteins and enzymes in bioelectrochemistry

Summary The mini-review will shortly introduce into the different principles of layer-by-layer deposition and the approaches used for the communication of biomolecules within such architectures with electrodes. Recent developments in combining the different basic deposition principles will be shown. Here very often nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes or graphene have increasingly been used. In order to ensure communication of enzymes in several layers with the electrode often redox polymers and, to a less extent, conducting polymers have been applied, but also the redox protein cyt c has been exploited as electron shuttle—deposited in a layered fashion. Communication to membrane proteins can be achieved via hydrophobic shuttle molecules, such as quinones, when lipid pathways are created within the structure. Besides enzymatic catalysis also photobiocatalysis has become increasingly in the focus.