The bacteriophage MS2 coat protein can be recombinantly expressed to generate hollow icosahedral capsids stable to a variety of chemical modifications. Amino acid side chains are displayed on these monodisperse protein nanoparticles with symmetric, well-defined spacing. Using unnatural amino acid incorporation technology, we specifically modified the exterior of MS2 capsids with single-stranded DNA and the interior with organic fluorophores. Using AFM tip-based fabrication techniques, we patterned gold surfaces with nanoscale DNA templates to facilitate capsid assembly. We studied the effects of altering DNA and buffer composition on 3-D solution assembly and 2-D templated surface assembly of viral clusters. Encapsulated fluorophores exhibited energy transfer when capsids were assembled, and we monitored single-cluster energy transfer with surface confocal microscopy. By combining top-down, tip-based nanofabrication with bottom-up assembly of capsids, we can generate novel patterned materials for molecular detection or artificial photosynthesis.

Assembly of photoactive virus capsids on nanoscale templates

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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