The papaya mosaic virus platform; an innovative tool in nanotechnology

番木瓜花叶病毒(PapMV)外壳蛋白(CP)的自组装是一个复杂的过程，涉及CP亚基内的几个构象变化和相互作用的结构域。 我们建议阐明该病毒外壳蛋白的自组装机制。 这项研究计划的长期目标是：1)加强我们对PapMV CP自组装过程的了解；2)揭示植物中病毒自组装的机制；3)通过对PapMV CP的具体工程，将我们对平台的理解转化为局部抗菌应用，用于商业生产。 抗微生物分子的开发可以作为抗生素的替代品。这种新型纳米颗粒可以用于局部使用，通过降低感染污染的风险来促进(伤口)愈合。由于其稳定性的提高，抗菌剂NLP很可能在室温下长时间储存，并且仍然具有持久的抗菌活性。PapMV平台是加拿大制造的纳米颗粒的一个很好的例子，这种纳米颗粒具有潜在的有用的商业抗菌应用，满足了加拿大和世界各地寻求抗生素替代品的人群的未得到满足的需求。

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.