Combing and self-assembly phenomena in dry films of Taxol-stabilized microtubules.

ABSTRACT: Microtubules are filamentous proteins that act as a substrate for the translocation of motor proteins. As such, they may be envisioned as a scaffold for the self-assembly of functional materials and devices. Physisorption, self-assembly and combing are here investigated as a potential prelude to microtubule-templated self-assembly. Dense films of self-assembled microtubules were successfully produced, as well as patterns of both dendritic and non-dendritic bundles of microtubules. They are presented in the present paper and the mechanism of their formation is discussed.

SUBMITTER: Morin F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3245658 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature