Biomolecular Materials: Self-Assembly, Structure, and Application

Dear Colleagues,

Many biomolecules exhibit astonishing self-assembly capabilities that are of great importance for cellular functions but can also be exploited for the fabrication of functional materials. Numerous liposome-encapsulated drugs are already in clinical use, while DNA self-assembled monolayers are the fundamental basis of microarray technology. 2D crystals of S-layer proteins, on the other hand, can be utilized in the fabrication of reactive surfaces for applications in filtration, catalysis, and sensing. Further examples of biomolecular self-assembly that are currently receiving tremendous attention from various fields of materials science include the folding of DNA into defined nanostructures (DNA origami), the controlled formation and functionalization of virus-like particles, and the spontaneous aggregation of peptides and proteins into amyloid fibrils. The resulting macromolecular assemblies not only have interesting structural and mechanical properties but also can be used, among others, as templates for the fabrication of metallic nanowires, as molecular lithography masks, and to guide the arrangement of functional molecules and nanoparticles.

This Special Issue will cover all aspects of biomolecular self-assembly with relevance to the materials science community, including novel synthesis strategies, investigation of basic mechanisms and interactions, structural and functional characterization, optimization of material properties, and technological and medical applications. Full research articles and reviews covering these topics are welcome.

Dr. Adrian Keller
Guest Editor

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