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Molecular biomimetics: nanotechnology through biology
Mehmet Sarikaya1, Candan Tamerler, Alex K-Y Jen
1Materials Science & Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA. sarikaya@u.washington.edu
Nature Materials
|September 3, 2003
Summary
Genetically engineered proteins for inorganics (GEPIs) can be designed to bind specific inorganic compounds. These GEPIs enable the creation of functional nanostructures through molecular biomimetics.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Proteins control biological structures and functions via specific molecular interactions.
- Molecular biomimetics merges molecular biology and nanotechnology for novel hybrid technologies.
- Genetically engineered polypeptides can be designed to bind inorganic compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review combinatorial biological protocols for selecting protein sequences with affinity for inorganic compounds.
- To highlight the applications of genetically engineered proteins for inorganics (GEPIs) in nanotechnology.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial cell surface display technology.
- Phage-display technologies for selecting protein sequences.
- Combinatorial biological protocols.
Main Results:
- Selection of short protein sequences with affinity for noble metals, semiconducting oxides, and other technological compounds.
- Demonstration of GEPIs for assembling functional nanostructures.
- Successful applications of GEPIs in nanotechnology based on molecular recognition, self-assembly, and DNA manipulation.
Conclusions:
- Genetically engineered proteins for inorganics (GEPIs) offer a powerful tool for nanotechnology.
- GEPIs facilitate the development of novel nanostructures and hybrid technologies.
- The principles of molecular recognition, self-assembly, and DNA manipulation are key to GEPI applications.