Conformable self-assembling amyloid protein coatings with genetically programmable functionality

Abstract

Functional coating materials have found broad technological applications in diverse fields. Despite recent advances, few coating materials simultaneously achieve robustness and substrate independence while still retaining the capacity for genetically encodable functionalities. Here, we report Escherichia coli biofilm-inspired protein nanofiber coatings that simultaneously exhibit substrate independence, resistance to organic solvents, and programmable functionalities. The intrinsic surface adherence of CsgA amyloid proteins, along with a benign solution-based fabrication approach, facilitates forming nanofiber coatings on virtually any surface with varied compositions, sizes, shapes, and structures. In addition, the typical amyloid structures endow the nanofiber coatings with outstanding robustness. On the basis of their genetically engineerable functionality, our nanofiber coatings can also seamlessly participate in functionalization processes, including gold enhancement, diverse protein conjugations, and DNA binding, thus enabling a variety of proof-of-concept applications, including electronic devices, enzyme immobilization, and microfluidic bacterial sensors. We envision that our coatings can drive advances in electronics, biocatalysis, particle engineering, and biomedicine.

Hybrid Living Capsules Autonomously Produced by Engineered Bacteria

“…Curli are insoluble and robust functional protein fibers anchored to the surface of E. coli cells, whose versatility as a platform for ELMs has been explored in many applications, including adhesion to abiotic surfaces, [ 16 ] in vivo display of therapeutic domains, [ 45 ] and sequestration of pathogens from drinking water, [ 46 ] among others. [ 47 ] We hypothesized that we could add a range of functionality to the capsules by expressing curli‐tethered proteins, which would remain fixed within the BC matrix while interacting with the external solution.…”

Hybrid Living Capsules Autonomously Produced by Engineered Bacteria

“…To demonstrate the potential functionality of the capsules, we produced hybrid capsules containing engineered curli nanofibers displaying various functional protein domains. Curli are insoluble and robust functional protein fibers anchored to the surface of E. coli cells, whose versatility as a platform for ELMs has been explored in many applications, including adhesion to abiotic surfaces ( 16 ), in vivo display of therapeutic domains ( 41 ), and sequestration of pathogens from drinking water ( 42 ), among others ( 43 ). We hypothesized that we could add a range of functionality to the capsules by expressing curli-tethered proteins, which would remain fixed within the BC matrix while interacting with the external solution.…”

Tag-mediated single-step purification and immobilization of recombinant proteins toward protein-engineered advanced materials

“…Still, the potentialities of protein-engineered materials are so wide and exciting that many advances are expected in the forthcoming years within this area of research. We have recently witnessed the creation of: (i) bio-inspired nacre-like composites made of graphene and nanocellulose “glued” via a multiple tag fusion [60] , (ii) novel catalytic nanoreactors, vaccine delivery platforms and coatings based on self-assembled protein cages loaded/decorated with different proteins via Tag/Cather conjugation [164] , [165] , [166] , (iii) and of electrically conductive protein nanowires functionalized with SBPs that show expanded properties useful for the development of eco-friendly electronic materials [167] . Therefore, the future of this field will only be limited by our imagination.…”