Engineering structure and function using thermoresponsive biopolymers.
Wiley Interdiscip Rev Nanomed Nanobiotechnol
; 8(1): 123-38, 2016.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26112277
ABSTRACT
Self-assembly enables exquisite control at the smallest scale and generates order among macromolecular-building blocks that remain too small to be manipulated individually. Environmental cues, such as heating, can trigger the organization of these materials from individual molecules to multipartixcle assemblies with a variety of compositions and functions. Synthetic as well as biological polymers have been engineered for these purposes; however, biological strategies can offer unparalleled control over the composition of these macromolecular-building blocks. Biologic polymers are macromolecules composed of monomeric units that can be precisely tailored at the genetic level; furthermore, they can often utilize endogenous biodegradation pathways, which may enhance their potential clinical applications. DNA (nucleotides), polysaccharides (carbohydrates), and proteins (amino acids) have all been engineered to self-assemble into nanostructures in response to a change in temperature. This focus article reviews the growing body of literature exploring temperature-dependent nano-assembly of these biological macromolecules, summarizes some of their physical properties, and discusses future directions.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Biopolímeros
/
Nanotecnologia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Wiley Interdiscip Rev Nanomed Nanobiotechnol
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos