When the enzyme becomes a circuit

SepiaSeahorse

Enzymes are often seen as precise molecular machines, but they are also living electronic materials. Within their atomic landscapes, electrons travel through tunnels, aromatic bridges, and metallic cofactors, shaping dynamic energy pathways that resemble semiconductor behavior. Charged amino acids, pH, and hydration tune these internal “circuits,” modulating conductivity and reaction rates. Evolution has refined these routes through subtle amino acid changes, crafting natural systems that conduct, insulate, or switch electronic flow. By understanding how proteins manipulate charge at the molecular scale, we uncover the deep connection between biochemistry and solid-state physics and glimpse a future where biological circuits merge seamlessly with human-made electronics.

Download Essay PDF File

Download Reference PDF File

Download Technical Endnotes PDF File

BlackPrimate

When I was reading your essay, these things stood out to me:

Obviously the layout structure and heading are missing.

Plus: Well written, readable essay. Good flow. Writer seems knowleadgable in their field, detailed exposition of biological phenomena.

Minus: no structure, missing layout. Short. I was expecting more quantum mechanical magic sauce, but maybe it is not my expertise, as this was about actual biology and not a philosophical exploration.

Thumbs up (i.e., a like) from me