title: Protein nanotechnology: what is it?
abstract: Protein nanotechnology is an emerging field that is still defining itself. It embraces the intersection of protein science, which exists naturally at the nanoscale, and the burgeoning field of nanotechnology. In this opening chapter, a select review is given of some of the exciting nanostructures that have already been created using proteins, and the sorts of applications that protein engineers are reaching towards in the nanotechnology space. This provides an introduction to the rest of the volume, which provides inspirational case studies, along with tips and tools to manipulate proteins into new forms and architectures, beyond Nature's original intentions.
authors.affiliation: Biomolecular Interaction Centre and School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Riddet Institute, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Juliet A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gerrard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology; D011487:Protein Conformation; D015202:Protein Engineering; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D011506:Proteins