Apparatus comprising a surface site layer having a distal site end, wherein the distal site end includes a substantially inorganic surface having a chemical composition selected from a group consisting of metals, semiconductors, insulators, and mixtures thereof, the surface positioned within a polypeptide bonding region and having a selective bonding affinity for a polypeptide; a plurality of interlayers between which the surface site layer is interposed, wherein the distal site end is distanced from the interlayers, first and second supports, wherein the surface site layer and the interlayers are interposed between the first and second supports; and first and second conductors provided on the first and second supports and having respective first and second distal conductor ends positioned within the polypeptide bonding region; wherein the conductors are capable of applying an external voltage potential across the polypeptide bonding region.