Cowpea mosaic virus as a pre-formed bionanotemplate for directed mineralization

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The principal aim of this project is to produce and utilise new, engineered Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) chimaeras as biologically sourced nanotemplates of predefined size. Monodisperse particles in this size range are difficult to obtain by chemical approaches but are expected to have distinct and particularly attractive properties. The plant virus CPMV has characteristics of an ideal nanoscaffold/building block. CPMV has a diameter of 28 nm, its properties are defined and structure known. Inoculation and purification is simple and yields in gram scale can be obtained from 1 kg of leaves. Functional groups on the exterior surface of the virion makes CPMV a useful nanoscaffold allowing attachment of different moieties. Furthermore, infectious cDNA clones and chimaeric virus technology can be used to modify the surface. Nanospheres/particles are intriguing materials that have diverse applications, e.g. drug delivery, catalysis, and as composite structural and electronic materials. They are often synthesised using sacrificial templates which define their shape and size. To explore whether CPMV particles can act as a nanotemplate, chimaeric virus technology will be used to generate variants into which have been engineered peptide sequences that promote mineralization. In this instance, chimaeras will be generated that favour mineralization of silica, FePt and CoPt alloys, and zinc sulfide. Reaction of these with precursors of the inorganic deposits will generate unique nanospheres/particles. The conditions for mineralization will be optimised and the properties of the new materials will be examined by a range of physical analytical techniques. Future applications of the materials produced, after further research and development, may include biosensors, catalysts, electromagnetic storage materials, biomedicines and nanodevices.

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