Self-assembly and modular functionalization of three-dimensional crystals from oppositely charged proteins.

ABSTRACT: Multicomponent crystals and nanoparticle superlattices are a powerful approach to integrate different materials into ordered nanostructures. Well-developed, especially DNA-based, methods for their preparation exist, yet most techniques concentrate on molecular and synthetic nanoparticle systems in non-biocompatible environment. Here we describe the self-assembly and characterization of binary solids that consist of crystalline arrays of native biomacromolecules. We electrostatically assembled cowpea chlorotic mottle virus particles and avidin proteins into heterogeneous crystals, where the virus particles adopt a non-close-packed body-centred cubic arrangement held together by avidin. Importantly, the whole preparation process takes place at room temperature in a mild aqueous medium allowi

SUBMITTER: Liljestrom V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4109007 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature