title: Disentangling protein-silica interactions.
abstract: We present the results of modelling studies aimed at the understanding of the interaction of a 7 nm sized water droplet containing a negatively charged globular protein with flat silica surfaces. We show how the droplet interaction with the surface depends on the electrostatic surface charge, and that adhesion of the droplet occurs when the surface is negatively charged as well. The key role of water and of the charge-balancing counter ions in mediating the surface-protein adhesion is highlighted. The relevance of the present results with respect to the production of bioinorganic hybrids via encapsulation of proteins inside mesoporous silica materials is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Chimica IFM and Centro di Eccellenza NIS, Università di Torino, Via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giussani
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tabacchi
authors.forename: Enrica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gianotti
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coluccia
authors.forename: Ettore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fois
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D001665:Binding Sites; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011485:Protein Binding; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D011506:Proteins; D012822:Silicon Dioxide