Positioning protein molecules on surfaces: a nanoengineering approach to supramolecular chemistry.

ABSTRACT: We discuss a nanoengineering approach for supramolecular chemistry and self assembly. The collective properties and biofunctionalities of molecular ensembles depend not only on individual molecular building blocks but also on organization at the molecular or nanoscopic level. Complementary to "bottom-up" approaches, which construct supramolecular ensembles by the design and synthesis of functionalized small molecular units or large molecular motifs, nanofabrication explores whether individual units, such as small molecular ligands, or large molecules, such as proteins, can be positioned with nanometer precision. The separation and local environment can be engineered to control subsequent intermolecular interactions. Feature sizes as small as 2 x 4 nm(2) (32 alkanethiol molecules) are produ

SUBMITTER: Liu GY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC122740 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature