Virus Based Nanotechnology:

Advances in nanotechnology offer significant improvements in a range of applications including, lightweight materials with greater strength, increased energy efficiency for electronic devices, and better sensors for a range of environmental and manufacturing uses. Furthermore, since size constraints often produce qualitative changes in the characteristics of matter, it is anticipated that the exploitation of nanotechnology will result in the identification of new phenomena and functionalities derived from the physics, chemistry, and biology of matter at the nanoscale level. However, these advances will require the development of systems for the design, modeling, and synthesis of nanoscale materials. Interestingly, many biological molecules function on this scale and possess unique properties that impart the ability to assume defined conformations and assemblies, as well as interact with specific chemical or biological substrates. Specific studies in our laboratory utilize simple RNA plant viruses as templates for the self-assembly and patterning of novel nanomaterials. We are interested in developing methodologies to produce assembled arrays of functionalized viruses for use in sensors, energy harvesting and drug delivery. We combine both genetic and chemical approaches to address our bioengineering efforts with the long-term aim of integrating renewable biological components into the manufacture of nanoscale materials and devices.