Authors: Behrens, Silke; Habicht, Wilhelm; Wenzel, Wolfgang; Böhm, Konrad Joachim

Source: Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Volume 9, Number 12, December 2009 , pp. 6858-6865(8)

Publisher: American Scientific Publishers

Abstract:

Co-factors control the GTP-induced assembly of tubulin protein into a variety of superstructures with defined geometry at the nanometre scale: microtubules, macrotubes, sheets, or spirals/rings. We report the Zn²⁺ ion-induced assembly of tubulin protein into sheet-like or tubular structures. Free functional groups of amino acids on the surface of the protein biopolymer provide nucleation sites for further deposition of small metal nanoparticles. This study describes the synthesis of metal particle—protein hybrids by a two-step chemical process that directs metal nanoparticle nucleation at specific surface sites by applying these tubulin assemblies as biotemplates. The hybrids are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning force microscopy (SFM). The present study demonstrates the potential and general applicability of tubulin assemblies as tools for the nanofabrication of nanoparticle arrays exhibiting various geometries.

Keywords: PROTEIN ASSEMBLY; PALLADIUM; METAL PARTICLES; PARTICLE ARRAY

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1166/jnn.2009.1476

Publication date: 2009-12-01

More about this publication?

• Journal for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (JNN) is an international and multidisciplinary peer-reviewed journal with a wide-ranging coverage, consolidating research activities in all areas of nanoscience and nanotechnology into a single and unique reference source. JNN is the first cross-disciplinary journal to publish original full research articles, rapid communications of important new scientific and technological findings, timely state-of-the-art reviews with author's photo and short biography, and current research news encompassing the fundamental and applied research in all disciplines of science, engineering and medicine.
• Editorial Board
• Information for Authors
• Subscribe to this Title
• Terms & Conditions
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Technology
• By this author: Behrens, Silke ;  Habicht, Wilhelm ;  Wenzel, Wolfgang ;  Böhm, Konrad Joachim

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers