. . . . . . . . . .    ANM 2010     3rd International Conference on Advanced Nano Materials     12-15 September 2010 - Agadir, Morocco Back    Abstract ANMM146 ASSEMBLING NON-NATIVE STRUCTURES FROM PROTEINS: NEW BUILDING BLOCKS FOR MATERIAL SCIENCE? Gerrard, Juliet A MacDiarmid Institute and Biomolecular Interaction Centre, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand . Proteins are hugely versatile macromolecular building blocks with demonstrated utility as tough, functional materials in vivo.  Inspired by biology, we are exploring a variety of methods with which to assemble proteins into assemblies that are not typically found in vivo, and may serve useful functions in vitro.  Two approaches are being explored.  Firstly, manufacture of amyloid fibrils from waste materials using simple, scaleable, methods, is being used to generate useful components for bionanotechnology.  Results demonstrating the potential utility of these materials as high surface area nanoscaffolds for immobilising enzymes will be presented, along with early results on controlling their dimensions, and the exploration of these proteinaceous nanotubes as nanowires and biosensors.  To date, several enzymes have been successfully immobilised onto the nanoscaffold, using simple crosslinking chemistry, including glucose oxidase and organophosphorous hydrolase. These nanocomposite materials have been characterised using various techniques, including microscopy studies (transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy) and activity and thermostability measurements.  They have also been incorporated into a laboratory scale concept material and shown to retain activity. Secondly, domain swapping and protein engineering techniques are being employed to create non-native quaternary structures that retain native functionality.  Preliminary data on model enzymes are encouraging and suggest that building large structures may offer potential to improve thermostability of labile enzymes.  Finally, we have identified the peroxiredoxin proteins as a naturally self-assembling system that is potentially activatable via a redox switch, offering great potential as a component of nanodevices. . © nanoAC . . . . . . . . . .

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