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Protein Cage Architectures as a Nano-Platform for Material Synthesis and Metal Binding: Author: Allen, Mark Andrew; Date: 2006-08-15; Program: Chemistry; Abstract: Supramolecular proteins that assemble into cage like architectures have been used for nano-material synthesis and as a scaffold for metal binding. Material synthesis can be performed by exploiting the cage-like properties of these nano-containers and relying on the electrostatically distinct interior environment that drive mineral encapsulation. Ferritin and ferritin like proteins can be used as size constrained reaction vessels that encapsulate materials that have sizes that are determined by the internal dimensions of the protein cage. These range from 5 nm for the ferritin like protein from...; Download File | View full details

Protein Cage Architectures for Targeted Therapeutic and Imaging Agent Delivery: Author: Flenniken, Michelle Lynne; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Microbiology; Abstract: Protein cage architectures such as viral capsids, heat shock proteins, and ferritins are naturally occurring spherical structures that are potentially useful nanoscale platforms for biomedical applications. This dissertation work demonstrates the utility of protein cages including their use as therapeutic and imaging agent delivery systems. Protein cage architectures have clearly demarcated exterior, interior, and interface surfaces and their structures are known to atomic level resolution. This information is essential for the engineering of functionalized nanoparticles via both chemical and ...; Download File | View full details

Biomimetic Synthesis of Catalytic Materials: Author: Varpness, Zachary Bradley; Date: 2007-08-15; Program: Chemistry; Abstract: Supramolecular proteins assemblies have been used as platforms for the synthesis of catalytic nanomaterials. These supramolecular structures are assembled from a limited number of subunits that provide a unique structurally defined platform for the synthesis of catalytic nanomaterials. Small heat shock protein (Hsp) and ferritin (Fn) are 12 nm protein cage-like assemblies of 24 subunits that have been used as platforms for the synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles through the in vitro reduction of corresponding ions. Protein encapsulated metal nanoparticles were used as catalysts for photoche...; Download File | View full details