Abstract
Biomolecular self-assembly provides a facile way to synthesize functional nanomaterials. Due to the unique structure and functions of biomolecules, the created biological nanomaterials via biomolecular self-assembly have a wide range of applications, from materials science to biomedical engineering, tissue engineering, nanotechnology, and analytical science. In this review, we present recent advances in the synthesis of biological nanomaterials by controlling the biomolecular self-assembly from adjusting internal interactions and external stimulations. The self-assembly mechanisms of biomolecules (DNA, protein, peptide, virus, enzyme, metabolites, lipid, cholesterol, and others) related to various internal interactions, including hydrogen bonds, electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, π–π stacking, DNA base pairing, and ligand–receptor binding, are discussed by analyzing some recent studies. In addition, some strategies for promoting biomolecular self-assembly via external stimulations, such as adjusting the solution conditions (pH, temperature, ionic strength), adding organics, nanoparticles, or enzymes, and applying external light stimulation to the self-assembly systems, are demonstrated. We hope that this overview will be helpful for readers to understand the self-assembly mechanisms and strategies of biomolecules and to design and develop new biological nanostructures or nanomaterials for desired applications.
Highlights
Self-assembly is a simple but effective bottom-up technique for preparing functional nanomaterials with ordered structures and novel functions [1,2,3]
We focus on the fabrication of biological nanomaterials by controlling the self-assembly of a biomolecule through internal biomolecular interactions and external stimulations
The designed peptide has trifunctional motifs, in which RGD can recognize the integrin-rich tumor cells, the AEAKAEAK motif provides the capability of self-assembly and formation of PNFs, and the motif of YWYAF has the tendency to bind with graphene quantum dots (GQDs) via π–π interactions (Figure 4a)
Summary
Self-assembly is a simple but effective bottom-up technique for preparing functional nanomaterials with ordered structures and novel functions [1,2,3]. In order to fabricate functional biological nanomaterials, one of the key challenges is how to control the self-assembly of biomolecules to form desired structures. Willner et al summarized the applications of biomolecule-based nanostructures and nanomaterials for sensing and the fabrication of nanodevices [40] After studying these reports, we realized that it is still valuable for us to contribute a review on the self-assembly of biomolecules to functional nanomaterials from the viewpoints of internal interaction mechanisms, external stimulation, and designed functionalities. We focus on the fabrication of biological nanomaterials by controlling the self-assembly of a biomolecule through internal biomolecular interactions and external stimulations. It is expected that this work will be helpful for readers to understand the self-assembly mechanisms of, and strategies for creating, functional nanomaterials, and to design and develop new biological nanostructures and nanomaterials for advanced applications in materials science, biomedical engineering, analytical science, energy, and environmental science
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