Ordering of Quantum Dots Using Genetically Engineered Viruses

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2002-05, Vol.296 (5569), p.892-895
• Main Authors: Lee, Seung-Wuk, Mao, Chuanbin, Flynn, Christine E., Belcher, Angela M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacteria; Bacteriophage M13 - chemistry; Bacteriophage M13 - genetics; Bacteriophage M13 - ultrastructure; Bacteriophages; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Capsid - chemistry; Capsid - genetics; Capsid - metabolism; Capsid Proteins; Cell aggregates; Chemical suspensions; Cloning, Molecular; Crystalline materials; Crystallization; Crystals; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetic aspects; Genetic Engineering; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Inhalants; Liquids; Literary Devices; Magnetic field effects; Material films; Materials; Membrane Proteins - chemistry; Membrane Proteins - genetics; Membrane Proteins - metabolism; Micelles; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Microscopy, Electron; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Nanocrystals; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Oligopeptides - chemistry; Oligopeptides - metabolism; Other applications; Particle Size; Peptide Library; Polymers - chemistry; Quantum mechanics; Quantum theory; rev genes; Semiconducting films; Solvents; Studies; Sulfides - chemistry; Sulfides - metabolism; Suspension; Suspensions (fluids); Viruses; Zinc Compounds - chemistry; Zinc Compounds - metabolism; Zinc sulfide
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.1068054

A liquid crystal system was used for the fabrication of a highly ordered composite material from genetically engineered M13 bacteriophage and zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanocrystals. The bacteriophage, which formed the basis of the self-ordering system, were selected to have a specific recognition moiety for ZnS crystal surfaces. The bacteriophage were coupled with ZnS solution precursors and spontaneously evolved a self-supporting hybrid film material that was ordered at the nanoscale and at the micrometer scale into ∼72-micrometer domains, which were continuous over a centimeter length scale. In addition, suspensions were prepared in which the lyotropic liquid crystalline phase behavior of the hybrid material was controlled by solvent concentration and by the use of a magnetic field.