Ff-nano, short functionalized nanorods derived from Ff (f1, fd, or M13) filamentous bacteriophage.
F-specific filamentous phage of Escherichia coli (Ff: f1, M13, or fd) are long thin filaments (860 nm × 6 nm). They have been a major workhorse in display technologies and bionanotechnology; however, some applications are limited by the high length-to-diameter ratio of Ff. Furthermore, use of functionalized Ff outside of laboratory containment is in part hampered by the fact that they are genetically modified viruses. We have now developed a system for production and purification of very short functionalized Ff-phage-derived nanorods, named Ff-nano, that are only 50 nm in length. In contrast to standard Ff-derived vectors that replicate in E. coli and contain antibiotic-resistance genes, Ff-nano are protein-DNA complexes that cannot replicate on their own and do not contain any coding sequences. These nanorods show an increased resistance to heating at 70(∘)C in 1% SDS in comparison to the full-length Ff phage of the same coat composition. We demonstrate that functionalized Ff-nano particles are suitable for application as detection particles in sensitive and quantitative "dipstick" lateral flow diagnostic assay for human plasma fibronectin.
Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Sadia
S
Sattar
Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Nicholas J
NJ
Bennett
Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Wesley X
WX
Wen
Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University Palmerston North, New Zealand ; Science Haven Limited, Palmerston North New Zealand.
Jenness M
JM
Guthrie
Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University Palmerston North, New Zealand ; Science Haven Limited, Palmerston North New Zealand.
Len F
LF
Blackwell
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
James F
JF
Conway
Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Jasna
J
Rakonjac
M13 phage; f1 phage; fd phage; fibronectin-binding protein; filamentous phage; lateral flow; nanorod; phage display