Protein-based artificial retinas

1. A biocompatible ion permeable retinal implant, comprising at least one substrate layer and a bacteriorhodopsin film, wherein the bacteriorhodopsin film comprises a plurality of individual layers of a native bacteriorhodopsin or a bacteriorhodopsin mutant, wherein each individual layer of the native bacteriorhodopsin or bacteriorhodopsin mutant alternates with a layer of a cationic polymer, and wherein the bacteriorhodopsin mutant is selected from the group consisting of a chloride pump mutant, a dipole mutant, a photocycle mutant, a gold-binding mutant, an ion pump mutant, and a combination thereof.

2. The retinal implant of claim 1 , wherein the retinal implant is flexible.

3. A biocompatible ion permeable retinal implant comprising a bacteriorhodopsin film, wherein the bacteriorhodopsin film is produced by a method comprising:

a. modifying a substrate to produce a negative surface charge on the substrate, wherein the substrate is ion permeable;

b. depositing a layer of a cationic polymer upon the modified substrate;

c. depositing an individual layer of a native bacteriorhodopsin or bacteriorhodopsin mutant upon the layer of the cationic polymer, wherein the bacteriorhodopsin mutant is selected from the group consisting of a chloride pump mutant, a dipole mutant, a photocycle mutant, an ion pump mutant, and a combination thereof;

d. depositing a layer of the cationic polymer upon the individual layer of the native bacteriorhodopsin or bacteriorhodopsin mutant;

e. depositing additional alternating layers of the native bacteriorhodopsin or bacteriorhodopsin mutant and the cationic polymer as in steps (c) and (d) until about 200 to about 400 individual layers of the native bacteriorhodopsin or bacteriorhodopsin mutant have been deposited,

thereby producing the bacteriorhodopsin film;

wherein the bacteriorhodopsin film further comprises a second substrate layer deposited upon the outermost layer of the bacteriorhodopsin film, and wherein the second substrate layer is ion permeable.

4. A retinal implant comprising a bacteriorhodopsin film wherein the bacteriorhodopsin film is produced by a method comprising:

a. depositing a layer of gold upon a substrate;

b. depositing an individual layer of a first bacteriorhodopsin mutant upon the gold, wherein the first bacteriorhodopsin mutant is a gold-binding mutant;

c. depositing a layer of a cationic polymer upon the individual layer of the gold-binding mutant of bacteriorhodopsin;

d. depositing additional alternating layers of the gold-binding mutant of bacteriorhodopsin and the cationic polymer as in steps (b) and (c) until about two to about five individual layers of the gold-binding mutant of bacteriorhodopsin are deposited to form a main layer of the gold-binding mutant of bacteriorhodopsin;

e. depositing a layer of the cationic polymer upon the last deposited layer of the gold-binding mutant of bacteriorhodopsin;

f. depositing an individual layer of a native bacteriorhodopsin or second bacteriorhodopsin mutant upon the layer of the cationic polymer, wherein the second bacteriorhodopsin mutant is selected from the group consisting of a chloride pump mutant, a dipole mutant, a photocycle mutant, an ion pump mutant, and a combination thereof;

g. depositing additional alternating layers of the native bacteriorhodopsin or second bacteriorhodopsin mutant and the cationic polymer as in steps (e) and (f) until about 200 to about 400 individual layers of the native bacteriorhodopsin or second bacteriorhodopsin mutant have been deposited to form a main layer of the native bacteriorhodopsin or second bacteriorhodopsin mutant,

thereby producing the bacteriorhodopsin film;

wherein the bacteriorhodopsin film further comprises a second substrate layer deposited upon the outermost layer of the bacteriorhodopsin film, and wherein the second substrate layer is ion permeable.

5. The retinal implant of claim 3 , wherein the second substrate layer comprises a substrate selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), 2-phenylethyl methacrylate (PEM), polyethylene glycol (PEG), methyl methacrylate (MMA), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) macromer, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel.

6. The retinal implant of claim 4 , wherein the second substrate layer comprises a substrate selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), 2-phenylethyl methacrylate (PEM), polyethylene glycol (PEG), methyl methacrylate (MMA), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) macromer, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel.

7. A biocompatible ion permeable flexible retinal implant, comprising an inner substrate layer, a binder layer, an oriented film of bacteriorhodopsin protein layers, and an outer substrate layer, wherein the inner substrate layer and the outer substrate layer are ion permeable.

8. A biocompatible rigid retinal implant comprising a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel comprises a bacteriorhodopsin film operatively associated with a platinum or titanium pin, wherein the plurality of pixels is configured so as to interface the platinum or titanium pins with a ganglion cell layer or a bipolar cell layer of a patient's retina when the retinal implant is implanted into the patient's retina.

9. The retinal implant of claim 7 , wherein the bacteriorhodopsin film is deposited upon a layer of gold deposited upon the tops of platinum or titanium pins.

10. The retinal implant of claim 7 , wherein the bacteriorhodopsin film is deposited upon a layer of gold deposited on a pad associated with a platinum or titanium pin, wherein each pixel comprises a gold covered pad contacting one of the platinum or titanium pins.

11. A method for treating a patient having loss of vision caused by loss of retinal photoreceptor cells, comprising implanting into an eye of the patient the retinal implant of claim 1 , thereby treating the patient having loss of vision caused by loss of retinal photoreceptor cells.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the retinal implant converts light into an ion gradient in the eye of the patient.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the retinal implant converts light into a photovoltaic signal in the eye of the patient.

14. The retinal implant of claim 1 , wherein the cationic polymer is a flexible fabric or weave.