Protein Calligraphy: A New Concept Begins To Take Shape

The ability to assemble molecules into supramolecular architectures of controllable size and symmetry is a long sought after goal of nanotechnology and material engineering. Proteins are particularly attractive for molecular assembly due to their inherent molecular recognition and self-assembly capabilities. Advances in the computational prediction of protein folding and quaternary assembly have enabled the design of proteins that self-assemble into complex yet predictable shapes. These protein nanostructures are opening new possibilities in biomaterials, metabolic engineering, molecular delivery, tissue engineering, and a plethora of nanomaterials. Images of protein constructs assembled from simpler structures draw comparison to characters of calligraphy. In both cases, elaborate designs emerge from basic subunits, resulting in the translation of form into function with a high degree of artistry.