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Porous protein crystals: synthesis and applications
Alec Arthur Jones1, Christopher D Snow1,2
1School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1301, USA. christopher.snow@colostate.edu.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|May 17, 2024
Summary
Large-pore protein crystals (LPCs) offer unique biomaterial properties due to their high solvent content and surface area. This review details LPC synthesis and applications in catalysis, drug delivery, and structural biology.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Crystallography
- Protein Engineering
Background:
- Large-pore protein crystals (LPCs) are a novel class of biomaterials.
- Protein diversity leads to varied crystal structures with large pores and solvent channels.
- These pores can be modified using directed evolution and rational design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing platforms for large-pore protein crystals.
- To focus on LPC synthesis methods.
- To highlight reported applications of LPCs.
Main Methods:
- Detailed description of existing LPC platforms.
- Focus on synthesis approaches.
- Review of reported applications.
Main Results:
- LPCs exhibit high solvent content and surface area to volume ratios.
- Functionalization of pores is achievable.
- Diverse applications are being explored.
Conclusions:
- LPCs are versatile biomaterials with significant potential.
- Synthesis strategies and applications are continually advancing.
- Further exploration in catalysis, drug delivery, and structural biology is warranted.
