Composites from nanoscale borides were generated using peptides optimized by genetic engineering. Binding properties between inorganic nanoparticles and peptides were optimized by a screening system based on biopanning of specific peptides with preferences for different borides. The concept of genetic engineering and evolutionary protein design is especially apt in our approach as there is as of yet little known about the interaction between boron materials and peptides. Borides were synthesized in a desired variant concerning particle size, crystallinity and structure. Ni3B is ferromagnetic and shows preferences towards certain heptaborides. Samples consisting of phage and boride or peptides and borides were investigated for example via atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. To our knowledge, a specific preference of well-defined peptides for boride particles is new and might be a first, significant step towards nano-structured boride materials with tolerance concerning biological systems and with a huge range of tuneable properties. Possible applications in medicine might be the cancer therapy via boron neutron capture theory or hyperthermia.

Modification of magnetic Ni<sub>3</sub>B nanoparticles through phage display

244th National Meeting (2012)

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Modification of magnetic Ni3B nanoparticles through phage display

Modification of magnetic Ni₃B nanoparticles through phage display