Genetically-Engineered Proteins For Functional Nanoinorganics

The overarching goals in this DURINT project have been: 1. Combinatorial selection and post-selection engineering polypeptides that have specific affinity to inorganic surfaces (GEPI); 2. Understanding the nature of protein molecular binding on inorganic surfaces using experimental and theoretical tools; 3. Use these polypeptides as molecular tools to assemble and make nanostructures, and 4. To develop hybrid complex materials with nanoarchitectures, composed of peptides, polymers and nanoinorganics for electronic, photonic, and magnetic applications The accomplishments included: Selection of GEPI using phage and cell surface display protocols; Post-selection engineering for tailored binding and improved functionalities; In-silico design of Peptides; GEPI binding characteristics using FM, SPR, QCM, and AFM; Assessing chemical binding & conformation of using XPS, TOF-SIMS and ss-NMR; Development of GEPI-designer protein conjugates and assemblers/immobilizers; Conjugation of GEPI and functional monomers designed and synthesized; Modeling of molecular conformation of GEPI on solids; Permissive site analysis on DNA binding and fluorescent proteins for clones for genetic engineering; Synthesis of inorganics for control of size and composition using GEPIs; Control inorganic architecture and immobilization using GEPIs & DNA templates; Development of protein-based nanomasks, GEPI and viral based templates for nanophotonics, including potential use by the DoD applications.