Controlled assembly and patterning of multifunctional biomaterials on ultrastable protein scaffolds
Abstract
The fabrication of nanoscale materials and devices requires functional molecules to be positioned in regular patterns with nanometer precision. Protein scaffolds are particularly promising templates for nanomateirals due to their inherent molecular recognition and self-assembly capabilities combined with genetically;?encoded functionality. This project will develop functional biomaterials and devices by exploiting the natural ability of proteins to assemble into nanoscale structures that serve as templates for the patterning of enzymes and conductive materials. Novel thermostable, self-assembling protein filaments will be engineered that enable functional molecules to be positioned together at specific distances and orientations. The protein templates will be used to sequentially align multiple enzymes to facilitate substrate channelling, which has the potential to improve the efficiency of catalytic reactions in devices such as in enzymatic fuel-?cells. Achieving this next level of sophistication in positioning functional molecules will also enable the creation of conductive protein nanowires to improve the electrochemical performance of enzymes and facilitate signaling of enzyme-­?biosensor activity. Our methodology will be extended to link multiple filaments together into hydrogels with tunable physical and functional properties, thereby providing a platform for designing multifunctional biomaterials. Furthermore, the bottom-?up engineering of protein scaffolds will be expanded to higher dimensions for the encapsulation of functional molecules within three-dimensional structures for substrate channelling, enzyme compartmentalization, and nano-bioreactor design.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 09, 2018
- Source ID
- FA95501710451
Entities
People
- Douglas S Clark
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of California Regents