Bacteriorhodopsin is the light-sensitive protein found in the archaean Halobacterium salinarum. Because of its versatile properties and possibilities to modify its characteristics, it has been proposed for a wide range of technical applications including the artificial retina. Here, a simulation model and tool for studying the characteristics of artifical retina based on biomolecules is introduced. Three types of bacteriorhodopsin with different light absorption and relaxation characteristics are used in a case study. The results show that the simulator is a versatile tool to study the temporal characteristics of bacteriorhodopsin variants and to support the design of artificial sensors.
['Teemu Tukiainen', 'Lasse Lensu', 'Jussi Parkkinen']
Temporal characteristics of artificial retina based on bacteriorhodopsin and its variants