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DNA amphiphile particles template formation of virus capsids is reported. A general method for loading virus nanocarriers is also reported.

In this article, we show the greatpotential of dendrimers fordriving the self-assembly of biohybrid protein nanoparticles. Dendrimersare periodically branched macromolecules with a perfectly definedand monodisperse structure. Moreover, they allow the possibility toincorporate functional units at predetermined sites, either at theircore, branches, or surface. On these bases, we have designed and synthesizednegatively charged phthalocyanine (Pc) dendrimers that behave as photosensitizersfor the activation of molecular oxygen into singlet oxygen, one ofthe main reactive species in photodynamic therapy (PDT). The numberof surface negative charges depends on dendrimer generation, whereasPc aggregation can be tuned through the appropriate choice of thePc metal center and its availability for axial substitution. Remarkably,both parameters determine the outcome and efficiency of the templatedself-assembly process by which a virus protein forms 18 nm virus-likeparticles around these dendritic chromophores. Protein–dendrimerbiohybrid nanoparticles of potential interest for therapeutic deliverypurposes are obtained in this way. Biohybrid assemblies of this kindwill have a central role in future nanomedical and nanotechnologyapplications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A supramolecular strategy is used for oriented positioningof proteinson surfaces. A viologen-based guest molecule is attached to the surface,while a naphthol guest moiety is chemoselectively ligated to a yellowfluorescent protein. Cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) is used to link the proteinsonto surfaces through specific charge-transfer interactions betweennaphthol and viologen inside the CB cavity. The assembly process ischaracterized using fluorescence and atomic force microscopy, surfaceplasmon resonance, IR-reflective absorption, and X-ray photoelectronspectroscopy measurements. Two different immobilization routes arefollowed to form patterns of the protein ternary complexes on thesurfaces. Each immobilization route consists of three steps: (i) attachingthe viologen to the glass using microcontact chemistry, (ii) blocking,and (iii) either incubation or microcontact printing of CB[8] andnaphthol guests. In both cases uniform and stable fluorescent patternsare fabricated with a high signal-to-noise ratio. Control experimentsconfirm that CB[8] serves as a selective linking unit to form stableand homogeneous ternary surface-bound complexes as envisioned. Theattachment of the yellow fluorescent protein complexes is shown tobe reversible and reusable for assembly as studied using fluorescencemicroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]