Bionanotechnology: Biological Self-assembly and its Applications

The emerging science of bionanotechnology refers to the harnessing of the vast diversity of self-assembling building blocks and processes for the assembly of nano-scaled structures for the manufacture of highly functional nanomaterials. Bionanotechnology is an interdisciplinary field combining biological principles with physical and chemical procedures to generate nano-sized building blocks and materials with specific functions and new properties. It involves the development of biologically-based procedures, the use of biological components and systems, the design of biocompatible objects and systems and the use of nanotechnology to support biotechnological processes. Under the expert guidance of Bernd H. A. Rehm, the authors of this book provide a survey of the most striking and successful approaches for the production of biogenic nanodevices considering not only living organisms as manufacturer but also in vitro processes that utilize the self-assembly of isolated biomolecules. The book provides a topical overview of the vast field of bionanotechnology by describing various biological nanostructures, the implied design space and the enormous potential for applications in medicine and technology. Two chapters describe the microbial production of tailor-made self-assembled nanostructures which can be processed into functional nanoparticles. Other chapters comprehensively summarize recent developments in the use of protein-based assemblies for nanodevice and nanomaterials production. Topics include: polymer synthesis, self-assembly and display technology, self-assembly and application of cellulosomal components, protein-aided mineralization of inorganic nanostructures, amyloid fibrils as bionanomaterials, self-assembly and applications of bacteriophages and virus-like particles, plant oil bodies and oleosins-structure function and biotechnological applications, visual restoration using microbial rhodopsins, magnetosomes and liposome-nanoparticle assemblies. This is a recommended book for anyone interested in the fields of nanotechnology, biotechnology, metabolic engineering, molecular biology, genetic engineering and protein design.