Bacteriophages as Templates for Manufacturing Supramolecular Structures

SS phages are genetically enginnered by replacing 2 N-terminal amino acids of the p8 coat protein of the fd phage. AGE and zeta potential measurements show that SS phages carry at least 1/4 less net negative surface charge than fd phages. Morphology and thickness of phages are studied at different counterion concentrations (10^-3, 10^-2 and 10^-1M) by AFM, SEM and immunofluorescence analyses. Bundles induced by CoCl₂ and CaCl₂ are either metallized by chemical reduction or biomineralized for apatite-like material formation. EDX spectroscopy confirms the presence of Co, P and Ca peaks in mineralized samples. Such bottom-up manufactured phage scaffolds might be applied in bioengineering studies.