Viruses consist of a protective proteinaceous shell that packages an RNA or DNA genome. The emergence of protein cages that could load, protect, and transfer their own genetic information was therefore likely to be a critical step in the evolution of all primitive viruses. Using a combination of design and directed evolution, this process can now be recapitulated in the laboratory.  We have converted the nonviral protein cage formed by lumazine synthase into an artificial nucleocapsid that efficiently encapsulates its own encoding mRNA, and have elucidated the structural changes that made this transformation possible. In addition to providing insight into the origins of natural viruses, such constructs may serve as potentially safe surrogates for diverse nano- and biotechnological applications. <br/>

<b>Award Address</b> (Ronald Breslow Award for Achievement in Biomimetic Chemistry sponsored by the Ronald Breslow Award Endowment). Evolving virus-like nucleocapsids from nonviral protein cages

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

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Award Address (Ronald Breslow Award for Achievement in Biomimetic Chemistry sponsored by the Ronald Breslow Award Endowment). Evolving virus-like nucleocapsids from nonviral protein cages