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Dye Aggregate-Mediated Self-Assembly of Bacteriophage Bioconjugates
Matthew Tridgett, Lucía Lozano, Paolo Passaretti
1Research Department of Haematology , UCL Medical School, Royal Free Campus , Rowland Hill Street , London , NW3 2PF , United Kingdom.
Bioconjugate Chemistry
|October 24, 2018
Summary
Researchers chemically modified M13 bacteriophage with a dye, creating 3D aster-like structures. This self-assembly method could advance dye applications in medicine and light harvesting.
Area of Science:
- Biomolecular Engineering
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Exploiting emergent properties of self-assembled biological materials is key in biomolecular engineering.
- M13 bacteriophage is a promising building block for creating ordered multivirion structures.
- Previous methods primarily yielded 2D materials from M13 bacteriophage liquid crystals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for producing 3D multivirion assemblies of M13 bacteriophage.
- To investigate the role of chemical modification with tetramethylrhodamine (TMR) in M13 bacteriophage assembly.
- To explore the potential of M13 bacteriophage in promoting J-aggregate formation in dyes.
Main Methods:
- Covalent attachment of tetramethylrhodamine (TMR) isothiocyanate (TRITC) to the M13 bacteriophage surface.
- Characterization of the resulting multivirion assemblies.
- Analysis of TMR H-aggregation and its enhancement upon M13 bacteriophage assembly.
Main Results:
- TMR modification induced the formation of 3D aster-like M13 bacteriophage assemblies.
- Adhesive action between bacteriophage particles was mediated by TMR H-aggregates.
- H-aggregation of TMR was significantly enhanced by covalent attachment to M13 and its subsequent self-assembly.
Conclusions:
- M13 bacteriophage can be chemically modified to form 3D self-assembled structures.
- TMR-modified M13 bacteriophage shows potential for creating ordered dye arrangements.
- M13 bacteriophage may serve as a platform to promote J-aggregate formation for optical applications.
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