Viruses and their protein capsids can be regarded as biologically evolved nanomachines able to perform multiple, complex biological functions through coordinated mechano-chemical actions during the infectious cycle. The advent of nanoscience and nanotechnology has opened up, in the last 10 years or so, a vast number of novel possibilities to exploit engineered viral capsids as protein-based nanoparticles for multiple biomedical, biotechnological or nanotechnological applications. This chapter attempts to provide a broad, updated overview on the self-assembly and engineering of virus capsids, and on applications of virus-based nanoparticles. Different sections provide outlines on: (i) the structure, functions and properties of virus capsids; (ii) general approaches for obtaining assembled virus particles; (iii) basic principles and events related to virus capsid self-assembly; (iv) genetic and chemical strategies for engineering virus particles; (v) some applications of engineered virus particles being developed; and (vi) some examples on the engineering of virus particles to modify their physical properties, in order to improve their suitability for different uses.
CITATION STYLE
Mateu, M. G. (2016). Assembly, engineering and applications of virus-based protein nanoparticles. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 940, 83–120. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39196-0_5
Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.