Protein-based functional hybrid bionanomaterials by bottom-up approaches

Abstract

This review aims to summarize the last advances on the field of protein engineering towards functional bionanomaterials. Albeit being this an emerging research field, multidisciplinary perspectives in the design of synthetic protein-based hybrid bionanomaterials have resulted in significant progresses. The review covers the definition of bionanomaterials as such and the description of the main methodological approaches currently employed for their assembly. In this context, special emphasis is placed on the fundamental role of protein design. Then, a general overview of the most recent advances related to the fabrication and application of protein-based bionanomaterials in several applications is provided, with special focus on catalysis. Finally, key aspects to be considered by the research community to establish the path for significant future developments in this promising field are discussed.

Facile Fabrication of Protein–Macrocycle Frameworks

“…Protein-based materials have great potential to serve society. 1 − 4 With their periodic arrangement of functional building blocks, crystals have applications in catalytic devices. 3 − 7 Porous crystals are of particular interest considering their capacity to capture (store) and transform biomolecules.…”

Proteins in Food Systems—Bionanomaterials, Conventional and Unconventional Sources, Functional Properties, and Development Opportunities

“…In nature, we find many examples of solid and functional bionanomaterials understood as a combination of bio-macromolecules (mainly proteins) with small organic molecules or materials, providing the basis for the production of advanced and highly efficient hybrids (photosystems, metalloenzymes, antenna systems, and bionanocomposites) [ 51 ]. Nanomaterials are significant in the developing field of science and economy.…”

“…The significance of using proteins in the production of bionanomaterials goes beyond their intrinsic functionality, as proteins can also be used as highly tunable platforms as a basis for accommodating and binding synthetic materials, suggesting new functions for the hybrid system. In addition to functional and versatile structural proteins as building blocks for design, it should be noted that, compared to other platforms, protein-based materials are ecological, durable, biodegradable, and biocompatible [ 51 ].…”

Tunable Polymeric Scaffolds for Enzyme Immobilization

“…In the last years, the formation of active and stable biocatalysts has been sought using assorted approaches, either through the alteration of the primary structure of the enzyme (i.e., rational design and directed evolution), by the immobilization of the enzyme on solid supports, through the chemical modification of the sequence of the protein, or by using combined approaches (Chapman and Stenzel, 2019). Molecular approaches, including computational modeling and structural biology, enable the modification of the active site or substrate/product channels within the enzyme, pursuing an enhancement of its bioactivity and stability (Beloqui and Cortajarena, 2020). Many of highly stable and genetically engineered enzymes are summarized in previous reviews (Arnold, 2018;Liu Q. et al, 2019).…”