Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Protein WISDOM: A Workbench for In silico De novo Design of BioMolecules
Published on: July 25, 2013
Controllable protein assembly: from design strategies to functional applications
Xiaoxuan Yu1, Hui Li1, Xiaohua Du1
1Key Laboratory of Organosilicon Chemistry and Material Technology Ministry of Education, College of Material Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China. wangtt@hznu.edu.cn.
Artificial protein assembly mimics nature to create functional nanomaterials. This review covers assembly strategies, applications in biocatalysis and drug delivery, and future directions for intelligent protein materials.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and Materials Science
- Synthetic Biology and Nanotechnology
Background:
- Proteins are essential biological molecules that perform vital functions through self-assembly into complex structures.
- Artificial protein assembly draws inspiration from natural systems to design and construct novel protein-based nanomaterials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review recent advancements in artificial protein assembly.
- To highlight key construction strategies and their applications.
- To discuss future trends and challenges in the field.
Main Methods:
- Supramolecular assembly strategies.
- Covalent assembly strategies.
- Computational design approaches.
Main Results:
- These strategies enable precise control over protein nanostructures across multiple scales (1D to 3D).
- Applications are expanding into fields like biocatalysis and drug delivery.
- A significant trend is the shift from static protein structures to dynamic functional systems.
Conclusions:
- Artificial protein assembly offers a powerful platform for developing intelligent biomaterials.
- Overcoming challenges in predictability, multifunctional integration, and in vivo stability is crucial for future progress.
- Continued research will drive the development of advanced protein-based materials for diverse applications.
Related Concept Videos
Protein Complex Assembly
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
Protein Complex Assembly
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
Protein-protein Interfaces
Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments
Protein Complexes with Interchangeable Parts
The SCF ubiquitin ligase is a protein complex of five individual proteins. This complex attaches ubiquitin to other target proteins to mark them for degradation. In order to...
Protein Complexes with Interchangeable Parts
The SCF ubiquitin ligase is a protein complex of five individual proteins. This complex attaches ubiquitin to other target proteins to mark them for degradation. In order to...

