NS-PC - New frontier of nano-space using protein crystals for telecommunication and medical applications

Nano-spaces based on organic molecules, such as porous-coordination-polymers and metal-organic-frameworks (PCP/MOF), have been developed for widespread application in areas such as storage, separation, and transport. To expand the potential applications of nano- spaces, protein crystals have great potential. Two main advantages are highlighted: 1. Bigger nano-space structures than PCP/MOF (4.5- 100 nm space) and 2. Biocompatibility. On the basic research side, we will address the study and development of novel protein crystals as nano-spaces consisting of biomolecules.

NS-PC project will focus on the synthesis, characteriszation, and application development of protein crystals. Cage-shaped proteins will be used as a component of the protein crystal for confining organic molecules or inorganic nanoparticles (NPs). The components (proteins including organic molecules or inorganic NPs) can be crystalized through conventional and novel crystallization methods using the interaction of peptides that are functionalized onto the protein by gene-engineered techniques. Through the specific properties of the peptide and protein, we will fabricate binary or ternary protein crystals. The nano-space between components in the crystals can also be used as a container for organic molecules or the scaffold for inorganic nanostructure fabrication.

As a proposed application of the protein crystal, periodic magnetic nanostructures will be developed using protein crystals for telecommunication devices. Magnon research that studies and controls spin waves is a new research topic with the potential to create future communication networks using microwaves and spin waves. Periodic magnetic nanostructures have excellent potential to control the interconversion of magnons and microwaves. However, it is still difficult to fabricate periodic magnetic structuresless of less than 80 nm. Therefore, magnon physics is not well defined at this scale. Periodic magnetic structures of less than 80 nm periodicity can be formed through protein crystals. This magnonic metamaterial could help define the basic physics of magnons and the development of novel microwave devices.
Another interesting feature of protein crystals is that the nano-space would allow them to be used within our body because the protein crystals are biocompatible. This could open a new line of multi carrier for drug and/or imaging agents. Drugs and image agents can be stored in the protein or the gap region within the protein crystals, which could realize a huge variety of hyper delivery systems for drugs and imaging agents. An important point is that protein crystals have a potential to include a lager volume of drugs and imaging agents than conventional carriers. We will first develop a drug carrier consisting of a protein-crystal including Pt-based anticancer drugs such as cisplatin. This development will make an impact in the area of healthcare and medicine.

This project is funded by BIO2017-88822-R/MCIN/ AEI /10.13039/501100011033/ y por FEDER Una manera de hacer Europa