Mimicking Biopolymers On A Molecular Scale: Nano(bio)technology Based On Engineered Proteins

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 02 Apr 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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Proteins are ubiquitous biopolymers which adopt distinct three-dimensional structures and fulfil a multitude of elementary functions in organisms.

Recent systematic studies in molecular biology and biotechnology have improved the understanding of basic functional and architectural principles of proteins, making them attractive candidates as concept generators for technological development in material science, in particular in biomedicine and nano(bio)technology.

This paper highlights the potential of molecular biomimetics in mimicking high performance proteins and provides concepts for applications in four case studies, i.e. the biopolymers involved in spider silk, anti-freeze proteins, blue mussel adhesive proteins, and viral ion channels.

Link to abstract.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A

Each issue of Philosophical Transactions A is devoted to a specific area of the mathematical, physical and engineering sciences. This area will define a research frontier that is advancing rapidly, often bridging traditional disciplines.

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Catherine de Lange
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