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Biophotonic Nanohybrids: Self-organization of Fibronectin into Nanofibers
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Biophotonic Nanohybrids: The team of Prof. Dr. Klaus D. Jandt from Friedrich -Schiller-University Jena, Germany have used the self-organisation of molecules to create nanofibres from the protein fibronectin. In the body fibronectin plays an important role in many different processes: It builds the connection between cells and is involved in the coagulation of blood. The scientists were successful in creating extremely thin and long protein fibres from fibronectin and these fibres started to shine in combination with so called quantum dots. The resultant hybrid material is e.g. suitable for different task e.g. visualizing processes at interfaces between artificial material and living cells or as a module for new implant materials. The team have published their results in the journal Soft Matter.
The fibres produced by the material scientists from Jena are only about two nano meters thick. In their experiments the scientists were able to observe the self-organization of fibronection into nanofibres in solution for the first time. In a second step they changed the quantum dots so that they tightly attach themselves along the nanofibres. If the quantum dots in the fibronectin nanohybrids are irradiated with laser light, the nanofibres begin to glow. These fibronectin nanohybrids are tiny material structures the size of a semiconductor for example, that has defined optical and electronic properties and can be used as a probe.
Original publication:
Wei G. et al.: Novel 1-D biophotonic nanohybrids: protein nanofibers meet quantum dots, Soft Matter 2011 DOI: 10.1039/c0sm01037e, http://pubs.rsc.org
http://www.uni-jena.de
Keywords: Biophotonic Nanohybrids Biophotonics Fibronectin Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena Gang Wei Klaus D. Jandt Material Sciences Nanofibers Nanohybrids Quantum Dots
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