M13 bacteriophage as a versatile platform for the creation of new materials via genetic engineering

M13 bacteriophages form self-assembled nanorods with the ability to self-assemble into complex materials with higher-order structures. These features make them useful templates for material fabrication. Their use in soft materials, bio-nano systems, and biomedical applications is well established. For these bio-interfacial applications, it is crucial that phages remain biocompatible and their production sustainable. Here, we review the bioprocessing of M13 phages and genetic engineering strategies that retain their natural assets in nanomaterials or bulk materials. Specifically, we highlight the extensively studied fermentation process of M13 phages with Escherichia coli (E. coli) and common downstream processing methods suitable for materials manufacturing. The ease of phage production contributes to its wide use for phage display, enabling the creation of large libraries of functional mutants. For materials purposes, genetic engineering often targets the pIII and pVIII proteins, enabling different geometries and fragment sizes. We also review common peptides displayed on phages, including arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptides, used for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) probes, targeted medicine, cell regeneration, or tissue scaffolding. We study glutamate-modified phages for metal binding, biomineralization, and electronics in bulk materials. By considering self-assembly, bioprocessing, and genetic engineering, material engineers can fully harness M13 phages for diverse functional and sustainable devices.