Hydrophilic Metal-Organic Frameworks Regulated by Biomineralized Protein for Enhanced Stability and Drug Delivery

For bridging the gap between biological and synthetic materials, the fusion of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) with biological entities has emerged as a revolutionary strategy in functional materials. In this context, our study introduces a novel structure wherein Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), a robust and versatile protein, encapsulates zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), forming a protein-caged MOF. Highlighting the advantages of this innovative design, the protein-encapsulation enhances the stability and dispersity of ZIF-8, and aids in the synthesis of smaller-sized nanoparticles, crucial for size-impact performance applications. Additionally, the BSA-caged ZIF-8 structure showcases potential in drug delivery applications, especially in the controlled delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs. The study thus elucidates the multifaceted applicability of this novel structure, marking a significant stride in the convergence of biological and synthetic materials.