Abstract: The invention provides molecules useful for enhancing charge transport across membranes, such as electron transport across membranes, and methods of using such molecules, for example in improving the performance of a microbial fuel cell or in staining microbes for observation. The amphiphilic molecule comprises a conjugated core with hydrophilic groups on either end. The amphiphilic molecule inserts into the membrane of a microbe and facilitates charge transfer across the membrane of the microbe.

Abstract: The invention provides molecules useful for enhancing charge transport across membranes, such as electron transport across membranes, and methods of using such molecules, for example in improving the performance of a microbial fuel cell or in staining microbes for observation. The amphiphilic molecule comprises a conjugated core with hydrophilic groups on either end. The amphiphilic molecule inserts into the membrane of a microbe and facilitates charge transfer across the membrane of the microbe.

Abstract: Electrochemical biosensors, methods of making biosensors and methods of detecting a target analyte in a sample to be analyzed are provided. A preferred embodiment device comprises a non-conductive polymer deposited on the electrode to form a matrix material having a plurality of pores; a capture biomolecule immobilized on the electrode such that the binding of the target analyte to the capture biomolecule effectively blocks a sufficient number of pores in the matrix material to produce a measurable decrease in the rate of a redox reaction occurring at the electrode; a current source for driving a redox reaction at the electrode; a redox species in contact with the electrode; and a detector element operatively connected to the electrode to detect the measureable decrease of a change in the rate of a redox reaction occurring due to the blockage of pores in the matrix material by the target analyte.