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Self-Assembling Nanostructures: Recognition and Ordered Assembly in Protein-Based Materials

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

Kevin P. McGrath
Affiliation:
Biotechnology Division, U.S. Army Natick RD&E Center Natick, MA 01760-5020
David L. Kaplan
Affiliation:
Biotechnology Division, U.S. Army Natick RD&E Center Natick, MA 01760-5020
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Abstract

A new approach to materials design is presented, utilizing specific recognition and assembly at the molecular level. The approach described exploits the control over polymer chain microstructure afforded by biosynthesis to produce proteinbased materials with precisely defined physical properties. Incorporated into these materials are recognition elements that stringently control the placement and organization of each chain within higher order superstructures. The proteins, designated Recognin A2 through Recognin E2, are recombinant polypeptides designed de novo from both natural consensus sequences and an appreciation of the physical principles governing biological recognition. These materials are designed to examine the forces involved in specific recognition and complexation. through control of charge identity and placement, a pattern for specific interaction can be introduced. A subset of these materials are programmed to spontaneously assemble into complex, multicomponent structures and represent the first step in a rational approach to nanometer-scale structural design.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1993

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