title: Directed self-assembly of proteins into discrete radial patterns.
abstract: Unlike physical patterning of materials at nanometer scale, manipulating soft matter such as biomolecules into patterns is still in its infancy. Self-assembled monolayer (SAM) with surface density gradient has the capability to drive biomolecules in specific directions to create hierarchical and discrete structures. Here, we report on a two-step process of self-assembly of the human serum albumin (HSA) protein into discrete ring structures based on density gradient of SAM. The methodology involves first creating a 2-dimensional (2D) polyethylene glycol (PEG) islands with responsive carboxyl functionalities. Incubation of proteins on such pre-patterned surfaces results in direct self-assembly of protein molecules around PEG islands. Immobilization and adsorption of protein on such structures over time evolve into the self-assembled patterns.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Garima
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thakur
authors.forename: Kovur
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Prashanthi
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thundat
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols