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David J Evans - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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applications of plant viruses in Bionanotechnology
Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, 2014Co-Authors: George P Lomonossoff, David J EvansAbstract:: The capsids of most plant viruses are simple and robust structures consisting of multiple copies of one or a few types of protein subunit arranged with either icosahedral or helical symmetry. In many cases, capsids can be produced in large quantities either by the infection of plants or by the expression of the subunit(s) in a variety of heterologous systems. In view of their relative simplicity, stability and ease of production, plant virus particles or virus-like particles (VLPs) have attracted attention as potential reagents for applications in Bionanotechnology. As a result, plant virus particles have been subjected to both genetic and chemical modification, have been used to encapsulate foreign material and have, themselves, been incorporated into supramolecular structures.
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exploitation of plant and archaeal viruses in Bionanotechnology
Biochemical Society Transactions, 2009Co-Authors: David J EvansAbstract:CPMV (cowpea mosaic virus), a plant virus, is a naturally occurring sphere-like nanoparticle, and is used as a synthon and/or template in bionanoscience. The virions formed by CPMV can be regarded as programmable nanobuilding blocks with a diameter of ∼30 nm. A range of molecules have been attached to this viral nanoscaffold, yielding stable nanoparticles that display multiple copies of the desired molecule. It has been shown that, in addition to surface amine groups, surface carboxy groups are also addressable, and a procedure has been developed that enables introduction of reactive thiols at the virion surface that avoids virus aggregation. Furthermore, the virions can be functionalized to form electroactive nanoparticles. Methods for the construction of arrays and multilayers, using a layer-by-layer approach, have been established. As proof of concept, for example, CPMV particles have been immobilized on surfaces and arranged in defined layers. Engineered variants of CPMV can be used as templates for mineralization with, for example, silica to give monodisperse robust silica nanoparticles of ∼32 nm. SIRV2 ( Sulfolobus islandicus rod-shaped virus 2), is a robust archaeal virus, resistant to high temperature and low pH. SIRV2 can act as a template for site-selective and spatially controlled chemical modification. Both the ends and the body of the virus, or the ends only, can be chemically addressed; SIRV2 can be regarded as a structurally unique nanobuilding block.
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utilisation of plant viruses in Bionanotechnology
Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 2007Co-Authors: Nicole F Steinmetz, David J EvansAbstract:The capsids of most plant viruses are simple and robust structures consisting of multiple copies of one or a few types of protein subunit arranged with either icosahedral or helical symmetry. In many cases, capsids can be produced in large quantities either by the infection of plants or by the expression of the subunit(s) in a variety of heterologous systems. In view of their relative simplicity, stability and ease of production, plant virus particles or virus-like particles (VLPs) have attracted attention as potential reagents for applications in Bionanotechnology. As a result, plant virus particles have been subjected to both genetic and chemical modification, have been used to encapsulate foreign material and have, themselves, been incorporated into supramolecular structures.
Hiroshi Matsui - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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peptide based nanotubes and their applications in Bionanotechnology
Advanced Materials, 2005Co-Authors: Hiroshi MatsuiAbstract:In nature, biological nanomaterials are synthesized under ambient conditions in a natural microscopic-sized laboratory, such as a cell. Biological molecules, such as peptides and proteins, undergo self-assembly processes in vivo and in vitro, and these monomers are assembled into various nanometer-scale structures at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The self-assembled peptide nanostructures can be further organized to form nanowires, nanotubes, and nanoparticles via their molecular-recognition functions. The application of molecular self-assemblies of synthetic peptides as nanometer-scale building blocks in devices is robust, practical, and affordable due to their advantages of reproducibility, large-scale production ability, monodispersity, and simpler experimental methods. It is also beneficial that smart functionalities can be added at desired positions in peptide nanotubes through well-established chemical and peptide syntheses. These features of peptide-based nanotubes are the driving force for investigating and developing peptide nanotube assemblies for biological and non-biological applications.
Antonio Villaverde - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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nanotechnology Bionanotechnology and microbial cell factories
Microbial Cell Factories, 2010Co-Authors: Antonio VillaverdeAbstract:Nanotechnology is increasingly using both materials and nano-objects synthesized by living beings, most of them produced by microbial cells. Emerging technologies and highly integrative approaches (such as 'omics and systems biology), that have been largely proven successful for the production of proteins and secondary metabolites are now expected to become fully adapted for the improved biological production of nanostructured materials with tailored properties. The so far underestimated potential of microbial cell factories in nanotechnology and nanomedicine is expected to emerge, in the next years, in the context of novel needs envisaged in the nanoscience universe. This should prompt a careful revisiting of the microbial cell factories as the most versatile biological platforms to supply functional materials for nanotechnological applications.
Arthur J Carty - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Research Spotlight: Bionanotechnology: small can have a big impact in the medical sciences: a WIN-win situation. Part 2.
Future Medicinal Chemistry, 2010Co-Authors: John F. Honek, Alain Francq, Arthur J CartyAbstract:Bionanotechnology blends the areas of nanotechnology and biological sciences. This article surveys the area of nanoscale biosensor development and the application of state-of-the-art biophysical techniques to elucidate fundamental membrane and surfactant biochemistry undertaken at the University of Waterloo (Canada). The Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN), coordinates various cutting-edge nanotechnology research areas at the University of Waterloo. One focus is the area of biosensor research and fundamental biophysics in Bionanotechnology. This is Part 2 of a contribution from the WIN initiative.
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Research Spotlight: Bionanotechnology: small can have a big impact in the medical sciences: a WIN-win situation. Part 1.
Future Medicinal Chemistry, 2010Co-Authors: John F. Honek, Alain Francq, Arthur J CartyAbstract:Bionanotechnology blends the areas of nanotechnology and biological sciences. It focuses on a wide area of fundamental research and engineering such as the fabrication of nanomaterials utilizing components and catalysts from the biological sciences as well as the application of nanotechnology to understanding and quantifying biological systems. Areas such as the development of nanomaterial-based drug-delivery systems, the development of novel biosensors and their application to clinical diagnostics as well as high-throughput screening and the exploration of how nanomaterials interact with living systems are all subjects of intense current interest. The Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN), coordinates various leading-edge nanotechnology research areas at the University of Waterloo (Canada). One focus is the area of Bionanotechnology.
Klaus Schulten - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the role of molecular modeling in Bionanotechnology
Physical Biology, 2006Co-Authors: Deyu Lu, Aleksei Aksimentiev, Amy Y Shih, Eduardo R Cruzchu, Peter L Freddolino, Anton Arkhipov, Klaus SchultenAbstract:Molecular modeling is advocated here as a key methodology for research and development in Bionanotechnology. Molecular modeling provides nanoscale images at atomic and even electronic resolution, predicts the nanoscale interaction of unfamiliar combinations of biological and inorganic materials, and evaluates strategies for redesigning biopolymers for nanotechnological uses. The methodology is illustrated in this paper through reviewing three case studies. The first one involves the use of single-walled carbon nanotubes as biomedical sensors where a computationally efficient, yet accurate, description of the influence of biomolecules on nanotube electronic properties through nanotube–biomolecule interactions was developed; this development furnishes the ability to test nanotube electronic properties in realistic biological environments. The second case study involves the use of nanopores manufactured into electronic nanodevices based on silicon compounds for single molecule electrical recording, in particular, for DNA sequencing. Here, modeling combining classical molecular dynamics, material science and device physics, described the interaction of biopolymers, e.g., DNA, with silicon nitrate and silicon oxide pores, furnished accurate dynamic images of pore translocation processes, and predicted signals. The third case study involves the development of nanoscale lipid bilayers for the study of embedded membrane proteins and cholesterol. Molecular modeling tested scaffold proteins, redesigned apolipoproteins found in mammalian plasma that hold the discoidal membranes in the proper shape, and predicted the assembly as well as final structure of the nanodiscs. In entirely new technological areas such as Bionanotechnology, qualitative concepts, pictures and suggestions are sorely needed; these three case studies document that molecular modeling can serve a critical role in this respect, even though it may still fall short on quantitative precision.