NIRT: Exploiting Protein Cage Dynamics to Engineer Active Nanostructures

该提案是根据活性纳米结构和纳米系统计划（NSF 06-595，类别NIRT）收到的。蛋白质笼动力学对纳米材料的整体性能起着重要的作用。这个NIRT项目将通过使用工程蛋白笼结构来开发结构化纳米材料。研究活动包括三个组成部分：活性界面、笼动力学和约束。该NIRT项目的中心焦点是确定活性界面上的粒子约束和蛋白质笼动力学如何控制纳米材料的合成和材料功能。纳米材料合成中蛋白质笼结构的发展研究将为未来在微电子、催化、传感和医学等领域的直接应用阐明基本设计原则。调查人员将通过密歇根州立大学的本科生学者计划确定来自蒙大拿州的美国原住民学生，并让他们参与该项目。研究人员计划与密歇根州立大学科学与自然历史电影制作项目的学生合作，制作两部关于他们对蛋白质笼子的研究的电影。长期目标是利用所获得的知识来指导新一代活性和反应性纳米材料的开发。具体来说，纳米材料合成中蛋白质笼结构的研究将为微电子、催化、传感和医学的未来定向应用揭示基本的设计原则。

0709358DouglasThis proposal was received in response to the Active Nanostructures and Nanosystems initiative, NSF 06-595, category NIRT. Protein cage dynamics plays an important role in the overall properties of the nanomaterials. This NIRT project will develop structured nanomaterials by using engineered protein cage architectures. The research activities are integrated in three components: active interfaces, cage dynamics, and confinement. The central focus of this NIRT project is to determine how particle confinement and protein cage dynamics at active interfaces controls nanomaterials synthesis and material functionality. The research on development of protein cage architectures for nanomaterials synthesis will clarify fundamental design principles for future directed applications in microelectronics, catalysis, sensing, and medicine. The investigators will identify Native American students from Montana through MSU''s Undergraduate Scholars Program and involve them in the project. The researchers plan to collaborate with students in MSU''s Science and Natural History Filmaking program to produce two films on their research with protein cages.The long-term goal is to use the knowledge gained to guide the development of a new generation of active and responsive nanomaterials. Specifically the research on development of protein cage architectures for nanomaterials synthesis will reveal fundamental design principles for future directed applications in microelectronics, catalysis, sensing, and medicine.