Assembly of gold nanoparticles using genetically engineered polypeptides

The genetically engineered polypeptides with surface recognition for metals are developed for the assembly of gold nanoparticles. The process used E. coli cell-surface display (CSD) and phage display (PD) to develop the polypeptides that bind to semiconductors. Forced immobilization of proteins on the surface can lead to the loss of recognition or self-assembly characteristics. The availability of -NH₂ groups on the gold-binding protein (GBP-1) can be exploited for covalent bonding with self-assembled monolayers (SAM) by presenting -CHO end-groups through a surface chemical reaction. The patterns of hybrid structures, composed of polypeptides and organic molecules can be generated on a substrate with submicrometer dimensions by combining μCP with surface chemical reactions. It is also found that the utility of laterally structured hybrid assemblies in the controlled organization of gold nanoparticles on surfaces.