Adenovirus Knob Trimers as Tailorable Scaffolds for Nanoscale Assembly

Abstract

The biomimetic assembly of nanoparticles into controllable nanostructures hinges on the ability to regulate system reactivity. The introduction of structural elements with predesigned symmetries and quantized number of binding sites may aid in this effort. Symmetric adenovirus knob proteins are used as scaffolds for nano‐assembly (see image). By way of genetic mutation, solvent‐accessible Cys residues are incorporated onto a knob's trimeric surface, and the resulting symmetric tridentate crosslinker is shown to possess tunable assembly characteristics with gold nanoparticles.

Direct Attachment of Oligonucleotides to Quantum Dot Interfaces

“…Researchers have also focused on devising novel biomimetic assembly approaches, 16À20 where cross-linking interactions mimic biological recognition, or employ biological matter itself. 1À3,18À25 Examples include antibodyÀantigen 21,22 and DNA-based recognition. 23À25 The DNA-mediated assembly of nanomaterials, such as gold nanoparticles, has proven to be especially powerful in both a fundamental and application perspective.…”

“…The field of nanomaterial self-assembly has grown considerably recently and led to a number of exciting bottom-up morphologies, properties, and fundamental discoveries. − Strategies for nanomaterial self-assembly include the use of self-assembled monolayers, − polymers and dendrimers, − and multidentate ligands − to mediate recognition and cross-linking. Researchers have also focused on devising novel biomimetic assembly approaches, − where cross-linking interactions mimic biological recognition, or employ biological matter itself. − ,− Examples include antibody–antigen , and DNA-based recognition. − The DNA-mediated assembly of nanomaterials, such as gold nanoparticles, has proven to be especially powerful in both a fundamental and application perspective. − In these systems, the nanoparticle interface is directly coated with thiol-modified oligonucleotides that form a dense surface capping layer .…”

“…The field of nanomaterial self-assembly has grown considerably recently and led to a number of exciting bottom-up morphologies, properties, and fundamental discoveries. − Strategies for nanomaterial self-assembly include the use of self-assembled monolayers, − polymers and dendrimers, − and multidentate ligands − to mediate recognition and cross-linking. Researchers have also focused on devising novel biomimetic assembly approaches, − where cross-linking interactions mimic biological recognition, or employ biological matter itself. − ,− Examples include antibody–antigen , and DNA-based recognition. − The DNA-mediated assembly of nanomaterials, such as gold nanoparticles, has proven to be especially powerful in both a fundamental and application perspective. − In these systems, the nanoparticle interface is directly coated with thiol-modified oligonucleotides that form a dense surface capping layer . This oligonucleotide brush passivates the interface, providing colloidal stability under physiological conditions. − , When combined with a nanoparticle with bound complementary oligonucleotides, cross-linking occurs via hybridization and duplex DNA formation. , By varying sequence, structure, and coverage, important self-assembly parameters can be controlled; such as interparticle distances, hydrodynamic diameters, and kinetics, , as well as DNA denaturation temperatures .…”