2018/09/06
Keio University
Shinshu University
A research group led by Senior Assistant Professor Ryoji Kawakami and Professor Kenji Miyamoto of the Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, and Associate Professor Ryoichi Arai of the Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, has successfully constructed soccer ball-shaped protein nanoparticles, "TIP60," by utilizing the phenomenon of self-assembly, where molecules spontaneously assemble. As designed, TIP60 is a homogeneous spherical molecule with a diameter of approximately 22 nm and a hollow interior. Small organic compounds can be introduced into its internal cavity, and TIP60 particles can be assembled to create larger structures. These results are expected to contribute to the advancement of nanotechnology, with applications such as nanocapsules for drug delivery and nanoblocks for creating nanomaterials with novel molecular structures.
An early view of this research was published online on the website of the academic journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition on August 24, ahead of its print publication.
For the full press release, please see below.