Chemical Virology
Jeroen J.L.M. Cornelissen
Laboratory for Biomolecular Nanotechnology, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology,
University of Twente
Viruses are highly defined protein structures, that from a chemical point of view
can be used as a platform for the controlled position of molecular entities with
different functions at the nanoscopic level. This growing research field is referred
to as Chemical Virology and, in particular, spherical viruses allow the integration of
biological and synthetic building blocks in a well-defined manner. Various protein
cages can be used, for example, as precisely defined scaffolds for the preparation of
new materials, as hollow shells to encapsulate inorganic materials, or as multivalent
ligand displays for targeting and delivery applications.
In this presentation examples will be given of nanoreactors formed by the protein
cages of the spherical Cowpea Chlorotic Mottle Virus (CCMV). The reactors
developed are used for, amongst others, biocatalytic conversions, the formation of
(supramolecular) polymers and for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Emphasis will be
on the encapsulation of macromolecular materials, that interact with the (modified)
capsid proteins in a delicate fashion to yield different kinds of protein structures.
Furthermore, the encapsulation of functional materials for, e.g., medical imaging or
therapy will be discussed.
Bron: NWO-CEW, Sascha Schalkwijk’; www.chains2011.nl