Protein nanocages can be engineered to tailor their functions as carriers for health (e.g. therapeutic and diagnostic agents)
[1], molecular electronic, and consumer care (e.g. cosmetics and food) applications. They are formed by the self-assembly of multiple subunits forming hollow cage-like structures of nanometer size. Due to their proteinaceous nature, the protein nanocages allow facile modifications on its internal and external surfaces, as well as the subunit interfaces designed for the intended applications. In this presentation, I will elaborate on utilizing protein nanocages loaded with metal as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent
[2] or with drug as drug carrier, modifying the interface of the subunits to render the nanocages sensitive to environmental changes, such as pH
[3].
Engineering of the external surface allows for the display of targeting ligands for selective accumulation on cancer cells
[4,5] as well as epitopes for modulating of the immune system. Leveraging on its natural or engineered metal-chelating activities, protein nanocages serve a dual function as a reaction container and as facilitator in the deposition of monodispersed platinum nanoparticles on graphene surfaces for electrocatalysis in fuel cells
[6]. Long-range electron tunneling across metal-loaded protein nanocages has also been shown to be promising in the development of memristive devices and future molecular electronics
[7,8]. In the most recent works, we show that the protein nanocages are surface active with an ability to stabilize Pickering emulsion with pH-responsive behavior
[9]. Titrating the protein ratio allows for formation of gel-like structures. In summary, protein nanocages are versatile protein-based materials whose properties tunable for various applications.
References:
1. Bhaskar SM, Lim S, NPG Asia Materials (2017) 9(4):e371.
2. Sana B, Poh CL, Lim S, Chemical Communications (2012) 48(6):862-864.
3. Peng T, Lee H, Lim S, Biomaterials Science (2015) 3:627-635.
4. Bücheler J, Howard C, de Bakker CJ, Goodall S, Jones ML, Win T, Peng T, Tan CH, Chopra A, Mahler S, Lim S, Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology (2015) 80(7):1230-1236.
5. Walsh EG, Mills DR, Lim S, Sana B, Brilliant KE, Park WKC, Journal of Nanoparticle Research (2013) 15:1409-1418.
6. Qiu H, Dong X, Sana B, Peng T, Paramelle D, Chen P, Lim S, ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces (2013) 5(3):782-787.
7. Meng F, Sana B, Li Y, Liu Y, Lim S, Chen X, Small (2014) 10(2):277-283.
8. Kumar KS, Pasula RR, Lim S, Nijhuis CA, Advanced Materials (2016) 28(9):1824-1830.
9. Sarker M, Tomczak N, Lim S, ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces (2017) 9(12):11193-11201.
