Design of Bio-based Multifunctional Composite Materials Using Self-assembling Bacterial S-layer Proteins

Nanoscalic bio-inorganic hybrid materials are very attractive for various technical applications. Especially the use of self-assembling highly ordered proteins as part of such hybrid materials is an attractive approach and offer new possibilities to add novel properties to surfaces. In our group we use the proteinaceous paracrystalline bacterial surface layers (S-layers) that envelop bacterial cells as nanostructures for the assembly of novel materials. These proteins are mostly composed of protein monomers with the ability to self-assemble into two-dimensional arrays on interfaces and surfaces. These features are used for the nano-patterning of various technical surfaces. The regular distributed pores of these paracrystalline arrays are binding sites for various metals and offer ideal structures for the formation of regular distributed metallic nanoclusters of a defined size [1, 2]. In addition, the proteins can be modified with organic groups, thus adding additional functions to the nanocoatings.
We will present new results on the fabrication of S-layer based functional composite materials. The S-layer coatings are used as template for the bio-inspired mineralization and formation or deposition of various inorganic nanoparticles such as Pd, Pt, Au, ZnO and TiO2. The thus fabricated hybrid materials exhibit interesting chemical, physical and mechanical properties that can be used for different applications. Current projects concentrate on the development of photocatalytic materials based on S-layer supported metal oxide coatings. In another project we used TiO2 deposited on S-lLayer proteins for the high efficient removal of arsenic from waters.
Multifunctionality can be introduced to the materials either by genetic or by chemical engineering. In such an approach, we used S-layers for the assembly of sensory layers. These S-layers are functionalized by aptamers (oligonucleotides) that work as receptor and two different fluorophores working as donor/acceptor for detection via FRET. The binding of the analyte to the aptamer should influence the fluorescence, ideally causing the interruption of the FRET.
[1] Wahl, R. et al. (2001). Adv. Materials 13, 736-740
[2] Pollmann, K. et al. (2006). Biotechnol. Adv. 24, 58-68