Genetically optimized M13 phages as functionalized bio-templates for the generation of bio/inorganic nanostructured materials

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Established processes for the generation of technological inorganic functional materials are subjected to restrictions in view of fabrication and material composition and properties. Miniaturized complex material assemblies with multifunctional properties are still a challenging manufacture task and the controlled adjustment of various properties is difficult. Therefore, the implementation of biomineralization routes in technical fabrication processes will circumvent such limitations. Nanometer sized, complex bio-organic structures which are formed by self-assembly processes, can be used as templates for the mineralization of inorganic materials. An excellent advantage of such templates is the adjustment to the inorganic material by genetic modification which opens the way to control material structure and properties. The main objective of this proposal is to mineralize phage-templated inorganic nanomaterials and to tune the properties of such hybrid materials by the genetic modification of M13 phage templates. Envisioned are multilayer assemblies of ZnO/gold and TiO2/gold. The following objectives shall be achieved in this project:The genetic engineering of phage templates for the specific binding and mineralization of the inorganic materials ZnO, TiO2 and goldMineralization of ZnO, TiO2, and gold on functionalized M13 templatesGeneration of organic-inorganic multilayer assemblies consisting of single materials (ZnO, TiO2, gold) and of the material combinations ZnO/gold and TiO2/goldRevealing the mineralization mechanism of the inorganics on the phage templatesEvaluation of the nanostructure of the manufactured hybrid assemblies with particular focus on the phage-inorganic interfacesDetermination of the optical, piezoelectrical, electrical, and mechanical properties of phage-templated assemblies with regard to the genetic modification of the M13 phage template.