(294a) Self-Assembly of CdTe Nanoparticles with Biomolecules Into 1D, 2D and 3D Architectures

The key question in nanotechnology and other synthetic processes for assembly is how one can obtain specific organization of nanoparticles (NPs) into nanowires (NWs), nanotubes (NTs), nanorods (NRs), etc. Advanced properties have been reported for the inorganic NPs once they self-assemble in to 1D, 2D and 3D architectures. On the same length protein-protein interaction and protein-DNA interactions have been also widely investigated and used in fabricating advanced morphologies. Inorganic NPs mimic many proteins in terms of their shape, size and charge distribution and thus can be easily assembled with many biomolecules. The well known assemblies of NPs can be tested if the biomolecules like DNA and proteins can be inserted in the already known structures. For the study CdTe NPs which in general forms 1D wire and 2D sheets were tested for the incorporation of DNA and proteins like Cytochrome C. The assemblies lead to new structures with very controlled incorporation of biomolecules with NPs. The approach provides: a) biomolecular assemblies with NPs to create new architectures due to their incorporation, b) a fundamental understanding of the parameters for the NP-biomolecule interaction will provide the foundation to predict the structure similar to protein-protein or protein-DNA interactions, c) while some superstructures created can potentially be dynamic, i.e. responsive to different stimuli can lead to new switchable materials, e) reversible geometry of nanocomposites from one structure to other can be controlled by the conformation change of biomolecules.