Ayush Verma

Engineering the nanoparticle–biomacromolecule interface

Monolayer-protected nanoparticles feature tunable size, surface functionality and core material, providing scaffolds for targeting biomacromolecules. This review highlights recent advances in nanoparticle-biomacromolecule interactions, focusing on two key areas: (1) The modulation of structure and function of biomacromolecules through engineered interactions with nanoparticle surfaces; (2) The use of biomacromolecules as building blocks for nanostructured materials.

Surface recognition of biomacromolecules using nanoparticle receptors

Nanoparticles present a versatile scaffold to target biomacromolecule surfaces via complementary interactions. This review highlights some unique features of nanoparticles that make them particularly attractive resources for biomacromolecular recognition, and displays their use in modulation of structure and function of biomacromolecules.

Binding and templation of nanoparticle receptors to peptide α-helices through surface recognition

Nanoparticles featuring highly flexible sidechains template to peptides, demonstrating substantial pre-organization of the particle monolayer.

Cleaning of nanoparticle inhibitors via proteolysis of adsorbed proteins

Cytochrome c adsorbed to anionic nanoparticles is selectively proteolyzed by trypsin, providing a mechanism for the catalytic degradation of proteins.

Biomacromolecule Surface Recognition using Nanoparticle Receptors

Biomacromolecule surface recognition is an important factor in regulating cellular processes. Nanometer-scale mixed monolayer-protected clusters (MMPCs) provide scaffolds for creating receptors targeting biomacromolecular surfaces. Unique features of nanoparticles that make them particularly attractive resources for biomacromolecular recognition and their use in modification of structure and function of biomacromolecules are illustrated in this review.