Design of Self-Assembling Nanomaterials:  Self assembling protein materials play critical roles in biology.  IPD researchers are developing general approaches for creating new self assembling nanostructures, and using these approaches to develop a next generation of vaccines and drug delivery vehicles.

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Design of self-assembling protein nanomaterials (Image modified from: King N.P.  et al (2012))

Proteins have many features that make them attractive as building blocks for the development of completely new classes of advanced functional materials. However, the complexity of protein structures has, to date, held back progress in this area. Using state-of-the-art protein design software, scientists at the IPD have begun to design novel protein-based materials from the bottom up by programming protein molecules to self-assemble into large, symmetric architectures. The first designed materials were nanoscale protein cages (pictured) that could potentially be used to develop more potent vaccines or to deliver drugs. Similar techniques are now being used to make many different types of protein materials, including more sophisticated nanocages, two-dimensional layers, and three-dimensional crystals. Protein-based materials such as these could lead to dramatic improvements in drug delivery, vaccine development, more sensitive biomolecule diagnostics, novel enzyme development, and many other areas.

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