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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
14:04
Viral Nanoparticles for In vivo Tumor Imaging
Published on: November 16, 2012
Virus hybrids as nanomaterials for biotechnology
Carissa M Soto1, Banahalli R Ratna
1Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20375, USA. carissa.soto@nrl.navy.mil
Current Opinion in Biotechnology
|August 7, 2010
Summary
Viruses are engineered as scaffolds to create novel nanomaterials. This biohybrid approach precisely integrates organic and inorganic components for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Bionanotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Viruses serve as natural protein cages, scaffolds, and templates.
- Genetic engineering allows modification of virus capsids for specific functions.
- Biohybrid nanomaterials combine organic and inorganic components with precise control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advances in using viruses for nanomaterial fabrication.
- To highlight the versatility of viruses as building blocks for nanostructures.
- To explore applications of virus-derived nanomaterials.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing viruses as templates for controlled material assembly.
- Employing genetic engineering to tailor virus capsid properties.
- Fabricating biohybrid nanostructured materials.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated precise incorporation of organic and inorganic molecules.
- Showcased nanomaterial generation using rod-like (e.g., Tobacco Mosaic Virus) and spherical viruses (e.g., M13 bacteriophage, Cowpea Chlorotic Mottle Virus, Cowpea Mosaic Virus).
- Highlighted functional nanomaterials with diverse properties.
Conclusions:
- Viruses are effective platforms for creating advanced nanomaterials.
- Engineered viruses offer precise control over nanostructure formation.
- Virus-based nanomaterials have significant potential in electronics, energy, and sensing.
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