Abstract: The invention is directed toward systems and methods for the formation of two dimensional monolayer structures of ordered biomacromolecules, such as viruses, atop cohesive polyelectrolyte multilayers to create functional thin films. Methods for the formation of such thin films are disclosed that involve an interdiffusion-induced assembly process of the biomacromolecules. The inventive systems provide a general platform for the systematic incorporation and assembly of organic, biological and inorganic materials and will enable many potential technological applications such as, for example, chemical and biological sensors, power devices and catalytic membranes.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for selective binding of amino acid oligomers to semiconductor materials. One form of the present invention is a method for controlling the particle size of the semiconductor materials by interacting an amino acid oligomer that specifically binds the material with solutions that can result in the formation of the material. The same method can be used to control the aspect ratio of the nanocrystal particles of the semiconductor material. Another form of the present invention is a method to create nanowires from the semiconductor material.

Abstract: An inorganic nanowire having an organic scaffold substantially removed from the inorganic nanowire, the inorganic nanowire consisting essentially of fused inorganic nanoparticles substantially free of the organic scaffold, and methods of making same. For example, a virus-based scaffold for the synthesis of single crystal ZnS, CdS and free-standing L10 CoPt and FePt nanowires can be used, with the means of modifying substrate specificity through standard biological methods. Peptides can be selected through an evolutionary screening process that exhibit control of composition, size, and phase during nanoparticle nucleation have been expressed on the highly ordered filamentous capsid of the M13 bacteriophage. The incorporation of specific, nucleating peptides into the generic scaffold of the M13 coat structure can provide a viable template for the directed synthesis of a variety of materials including semiconducting and magnetic materials.

Abstract: A colloidal suspension of III-V semiconductor nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention includes a bifunctional specificity structure that includes a peptide linker having a first and a second binding domain, wherein the first binding domain is selective for a first biomaterial and the second binding domain is selective for a second biomaterial. The present invention also includes a method of making and identifying the bifunctional structure of the present invention and methods of using the same.

Abstract: One-dimensional ring structures from M13 viruses were constructed by two genetic modifications encoding binding peptides and synthesis of a heterobifunctional linker molecule. The bifunctional viruses displayed an anti-streptavidin peptide and hexahistidine (SEQ ID NO:4) peptide at opposite ends of the virus as pIII and pIX fusions. Stoichiometric addition of the streptavidin-NiNTA linker molecule led to the reversible formation of virus-based nanorings with circumferences corresponding to lengths of the packageable DNAs. These virus-based ring structures can be further engineered to nucleate inorganic materials and form metallic, magnetic, or semiconductor nanorings using trifunctionalized viruses.

Abstract: The present invention includes a bifunctional specificity structure that includes a peptide linker having a first and a second binding domain, wherein the first binding domain is selective for a first biomaterial and the second binding domain is selective for a second biomaterial. The present invention also includes a method of making and identifying the bifunctional structure of the present invention and methods of using the same.

Abstract: One-dimensional ring structures form M13 viruses were constructed by two genetic modifications encoding binding peptides and synthesis of a heterobifunctional linker molecule. The bifunctional viruses displayed an anti-streptavidin peptide and hexahistidine (SEQ ID NO: 4) peptide at opposite ends of the virus as pIII and pIX fusions. Stoichiometic addition of the streptavidin-NiNTA linker molecule led to the reversible formation of virus-based nanorings with circumferences corresponding to lengths of the packagable DNAs. These virus-based ring structures can be further engineered to nucleate inorganic materials and form metallic, magnetic, or semiconductor nanorings using trifunctionalized viruses.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for producing magnetic nanocrystals by using a biological molecule that has been modified to possess an amino acid oligomer that is capable of specific binding to a magnetic material.

Abstract: Long rod shaped M13 viruses were used to fabricate one dimensional (1D) micro- and nanosized diameter fibers by mimic the spinning process of the silk spider. Liquid crystalline virus suspensions were extruded through the micrometer diameter capillary tubes in cross-linking solution (glutaraldehyde). Resulting fibers were tens of micrometers in diameter depending on the inner diameter of the capillary tip. AFM image verified that molecular long axis of the virus fibers were parallel to the fiber long axis. Although aqueous M13 virus suspension could not be spun by electrospinning, M13 viruses suspended in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol were spun into fibers. After blending with highly water soluble polymer, polyvinyl 2-pyrolidone (PVP), M13 viruses was spun into continuous uniform virus blended PVP (virus-PVP) fibers. Resulting virus-PVP electrospun fibers showed intact infecting ability to bacterial hosts after suspending in the buffer solution.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for selective binding of inorganic materials and the compositions that made up of the selecting agent and the target materials. One form of the present invention is a method for selecting crystal-binding peptides with binding specificity including the steps of contacting one or more amino acid oligomers with one or more single-crystals of a semiconductor material so that the oligomers may bind to the crystal and eluting the bound amino acid oligomers from the single-crystals.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and composition of storing and preserving biofilms for input and output of high-density information. One form of the present invention is a fabricated biofilm storage device with a biologic material applied to a substrate to form, e.g., a dry thin film stable at room temperature for extended periods of time. Another form of the present invention is a method of fabricating a biofilm storage device in which a biologic material is applied to a substrate under conditions that promote alignment of the biologic material on the substrate. The composition, method, and kit of the present invention have universal application in biologics, magnetics, optics and microelectronics.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for producing nanocrystals of semiconductor material that have specific crystallographic features such as phase and alignment by using a self-assembling biological molecule that has been modified to possess an amino acid oligomer that is capable of specific binding to semi-conductor material. One form of the present invention is a method to construct ordered nanoparticles within the liquid crystal of the self-assembling biological molecule.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for producing magnetic nanocrystals by using a biological molecule that has been modified to possess an amino acid oligomer that is capable of specific binding to a magnetic material.

Abstract: Long rod shaped M13 viruses were used to fabricate one dimensional (1D) micro- and nanosized diameter fibers by mimic the spinning process of the silk spider. Liquid crystalline virus suspensions were extruded through the micrometer diameter capillary tubes in cross-linking solution (glutaraldehyde). Resulting fibers were tens of micrometers in diameter depending on the inner diameter of the capillary tip. AFM image verified that molecular long axis of the virus fibers were parallel to the fiber long axis. Although aqueous M13 virus suspension could not be spun by electrospinning, M13 viruses suspended in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol were spun into fibers. After blending with highly water soluble polymer, polyvinyl 2-pyrolidone (PVP), M13 viruses was spun into continuous uniform virus blended PVP (virus-PVP) fibers. Resulting virus-PVP electrospun fibers showed intact infecting ability to bacterial hosts after suspending in the buffer solution.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and composition of storing and preserving biofilms for input and output of high-density information. One form of the present invention is a fabricated biofilm storage device with a biologic material applied to a substrate to form, e.g., a dry thin film stable at room temperature for extended periods of time. Another form of the present invention is a method of fabricating a biofilm storage device in which a biologic material is applied to a substrate under conditions that promote alignment of the biologic material on the substrate. The composition, method, and kit of the present invention have universal application in biologics, magnetics, optics and microelectronics.

Abstract: The present invention includes a bifunctional specificity structure that includes a peptide linker having a first and a second binding domain, wherein the first binding domain is selective for a first biomaterial and the second binding domain is selective for a second biomaterial. The present invention also includes a method of making and identifying the bifunctional structure of the present invention and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for selective binding of inorganic materials and the compositions that made up of the selecting agent and the target materials. One form of the present invention is a method for selecting crystal-binding peptides with binding specificity including the steps of contacting one or more amino acid oligomers with one or more single-crystals of a semiconductor material so that the oligomers may bind to the crystal and eluting the bound amino acid oligomers from the single-crystals.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for selective binding of amino acid oligomers to semiconductor and elemental carbon-containing materials. One form of the present invention is a method for controlling the particle size of the semiconductor or elemental carbon-containing material by interacting an amino acid oligomer that specifically binds the material with solutions that can result in the formation of the material. The same method can be used to control the aspect ratio of the nanocrystal particles of the semiconductor material. Another form of the present invention is a method to create nanowires from the semiconductor or elemental carbon-containing material. Yet another form of the present invention is a biologic scaffold comprising a substrate capable of binding one or more biologic materials, one or more biologic materials attached to the substrate, and one or more elemental carbon-containing molecules attached to one or more biologic materials.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for producing nanocrystals of semiconductor material that have specific crystallographic features such as phase and alignment by using a self-assembling biological molecule that has been modified to possess an amino acid oligomer that is capable of specific binding to semi-conductor material. One form of the present invention is a method to construct ordered nanoparticles within the liquid crystal of the self-assembling biological molecule.