A Self-Assembling Protein Template for Constrained Synthesis and Patterning of Nanoparticle Arrays

Abstract

Self-assembling biomolecules that form highly ordered structures have attracted interest as potential alternatives to conventional lithographic processes for patterning materials. Here, we introduce a general technique for patterning nanoparticle arrays using two-dimensional crystals of genetically modified hollow protein structures called chaperonins. Constrained chemical synthesis of transition metal nanoparticles is initiated using templates functionalized with polyhistidine sequences. These nanoparticles are ordered into arrays because the template-driven synthesis is constrained by the nanoscale structure of the crystallized protein. We anticipate that this system may be used to pattern different classes of nanoparticles based on the growing library of sequences shown to specifically bind or direct the growth of materials.

Biological Containers: Protein Cages as Multifunctional Nanoplatforms

“…[72] The encapsulated CdS exhibited enhanced photoluminescent stability, suggesting that the protein cage stabilizes the nanoparticles. The encapsulation of preformed Au or CdSe/ZnS nanoparticles [73] and in situ formation of Ni/Pd or Co/Pd bimetallic nanoparticles [74] within a hexagonally packed assembly of genetically engineered chaperonins (Hsp60 or TF55b) has also been demonstrated.…”

“…This system has been used to pattern bimetallic alloys onto a surface by nucleation of the inorganic ions on the protein. [73,74] Another example are bacterial and archaeal S-layers that naturally assemble into 2D crystalline arrays on the surface of cells. [168][169][170][171] These arrays have been used as a template for the organization of nanoparticles and biotinylated ferritin into organized arrays.…”

Biomoléculas en nanotecnología

“…En trabajos posteriores reportaron que en los arreglos de chaperonina pueden nuclear y crecer partículas metálicas de níquel y cobalto. En general sus trabajos han demostrado que las proteínas pueden ayudar a generar arreglos de partículas metálicas los cuales son de gran valor para la industria de electrotécnicos (McMillan, 2002y McMillan, 2005.…”

Molecular Biomimetics: Genetic Synthesis, Assembly, and Formation of Materials Using Peptides

“…Designer proteins include DNA binding proteins, light-emitting/harvesting proteins, self-assembling proteins, and viral capsid. [12][13][14][15]55 …”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Gaining the ability to closely manipulate the behavior of peptides to fully control materials formation would be a giant leap toward realizing nanometer-scale building blocks that tailor electronic, optical, mechanical, or magnetic materials properties. 25 Molecular biology and genetics approaches could modify the polypeptides and their molecular-recognition characteristics, [11][12][13][14][15] and traditional and state-of-the-art engineering approaches 16 could create inorganic or synthetic structures such as nanoparticles, [17][18][19][20] quantum dots, 20 molecular wires 21 or nanowires, 22 or synthetic molecular systems 23 (e.g., organic semiconductors). 24 Proteins are long peptide chains that have diverse properties deriving from the specific amino-acid sequences and the physical chain architectures.…”