Biomedical and Catalytic Opportunities of Virus-Like Particles in Nanotechnology.

ABSTRACT: Within biology, molecules are arranged in hierarchical structures that coordinate and control the many processes that allow for complex organisms to exist. Proteins and other functional macromolecules are often studied outside their natural nanostructural context because it remains difficult to create controlled arrangements of proteins at this size scale. Viruses are elegantly simple nanosystems that exist at the interface of living organisms and nonliving biological machines. Studied and viewed primarily as pathogens to be combatted, viruses have emerged as models of structural efficiency at the nanoscale and have spurred the development of biomimetic nanoparticle systems. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are noninfectious protein cages derived from viruses or other cage-forming systems. VLPs

SUBMITTER: Schwarz B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5384350 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature