Researchers Turn Viruses in Molecular Legos

Researchers Turn Viruses in Molecular Legos

The article can be found here.

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, have developed a "self-templating material assembly" for synthesizing complex structures of helical proteins and other macromolecules, such as collagen. The researchers studied the factors influencing the construction of hierarchical structures, observing in particular how the alignment, twist, and shape of the collagen fibers helps determine their optical and mechanical functions: Collagen gives structure to transparent corneas, blue skin of various animals, and even teeth!

The researchers then chose to use a saline solution containing varying concentrations of  the M13 bacteriophage because its shape closely resembles collagen fibers. They covered glass plates in the virus, and by adjusting the concentration of viruses in the solution and the speed with which the glass is pulled, the researchers controlled the liquid’s viscosity, surface tension, and rate of evaporation during the film growth process, which in turn determined the type of pattern formed by the viruses. They also genetically engineered the virus to express specific peptides, which effect the differentiation between soft and hard tissue. "The simplicity of the technique bodes well for adapting it for use in manufacturing." said Chung, one of the lead researchers.

I found this article interesting because it is one more example of the utility of nature's efficiency in biosynthesis and bioengineering. The researchers at UC Berkeley are also acknowledging the immense effect that mechanical phenomena in the synthesis can play on the chemical and physical properties of the rendered synthetic biomedical materials. These are two of the quickly emerging themes I've seen since beginning biomedical engineering classes here at Texas A&M, and it is refreshing and encouraging to see any real-world example of them.