Recent Advances in Amyloids Structural Studies and Thin Film Applications
Eugenia Pechkova1, Stefano Fiordoro2, Alberto Izzotti3,4
1Laboratories of Biophysics and Nanotechnology, Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova Medical School, Via A. Pastore, 3, 16132 Genova, Italy.
Abstract:
Amyloids are protein-based biomaterials composed of fibrils with cross-β cores. Previously only associated with degenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes, amyloids remain active and functional both in vivo and in vitro conditions, enabling a variety of applications in medicine, nanotechnology, and biotechnology. This review aims to review the most advanced methods for amyloid fibril structural studies, with special attention on amyloid thin films. Selected advances of biomedical and biotechnological relevance will be outlined, and perspectives for future studies in the context of ongoing methodological progress will be discussed.


