The papaya mosaic virus platform; an innovative tool in nanotechnology

番木瓜花叶病毒（PapMV）外壳蛋白（CP）自组装成一个高度有序的、结晶的柔性杆是一个复杂的过程，涉及CP亚基内的几个构象变化和相互作用域。 我们建议阐明这种病毒的外壳蛋白的自组装机制。 该研究计划的长期目标是：1）加强我们对PapMV CP自组装过程的理解; 2）解开病毒在植物中自组装的机制; 3）通过PapMV CP的特定工程将我们对平台的理解转化为商业生产的局部抗菌应用。 抗微生物分子的开发可作为抗生素的替代品。这种新型纳米颗粒可用于局部使用，通过降低感染性污染的风险来改善（伤口）愈合。由于其增加的稳定性，抗微生物NLP可能在室温下储存很长时间，并且仍然提供持久的抗菌活性。PapMV平台是加拿大制造的纳米颗粒的一个很好的例子，它具有潜在的有用的商业抗菌应用，可以满足加拿大和世界人口寻求抗生素替代品的未满足的需求。

Self-assembly of the papaya mosaic virus (PapMV) coat protein (CP) into a highly ordered and crystalline flexible rod is a complex process that involves several conformational changes and interacting domains within the CP subunits. We propose to elucidate the mechanism of self assembly of the coat protein of this virus. The long term objectives of this research program are: 1) to reinforce our understanding of the self-assembly process of the PapMV CP; 2) to unravel the mechanism of virus self-assembly in planta and; 3) to translate our understanding of the platform into topical antimicrobial applications for commercial production by specific engineering of the PapMV CP. The development of anti-microbial molecule could be used as an alternative to antibiotics. The novel nanoparticle could be used for topical use to improve (wound) healing by decreasing the risk of infectious contamination. Due to their increased stability, antimicrobial NLPs could probably be stored for long periods at room temperature and still provide long lasting anti-bacterial activity. The PapMV platform is a good example of a made-in-Canada nanoparticle that has potentially useful commercial antimicrobial applications that fulfill an unmet need for the Canadian and world populations seeking alternatives to antibiotics.