Molecular self-assembly is a key process in the formation of various architectures of ordered nano-materials. Such nano-materials often display unique physical properties, such as mechanical, optical, electrical and piezoelectrical characteristics that are the result of the dimension and ultrastructural properties of the studied assemblies. Moreover, the controllable assembly of simple building blocks into well-ordered structures at the nano-scale has long been envisioned as a key direction towards the realization of a "bottom-up" approach, in which simple building blocks interact with each other in a coordinated fashion to form large and more complex supramolecular assemblies. These strategies can be applied for the development of nano-scale devices and machines for future nanotechnological applications in diverse fields, including material science, energy, biomedical applications and more. The extensive study of inorganic nanostructures is now followed by the exploration of various organic materials as nanotechnological building blocks. Specifically, short peptides show a great promise as the next-generation nanotechnology frontier. The facile production of the peptides, their simple chemical modifications, remarkable efficiency of assembly, biocompatibility and controlled degradability, together with the extraordinary chemical, physical and mechanical properties, make these peptide-based bioinspired structures ideal for various types of applications, as well as open a new field of research into the basic science of molecular recognition, self-assembly and phase organization of these nanostructures.
The BISON project aims to develop a novel class of bio-inspired peptide nanostructures. These bio-inspired assemblies will provide novel and innovative directions for nano-science and nanotechnology, thereby laying the basis for their utilization in diverse applications. Specifically, the research focused on 3 main objectives: (i) Study of the assembly process, (ii) Technological application of the organic nanostructures, and (iii) Engineering of the building blocks.
Within the scope of the project, we have been able to design multiple peptide-based building blocks, which, when self-assembled, give rise to structures of various morphologies and diverse applicable properties including piezoelectric, optical, and catalytic characteristics. We currently continue our efforts towards the implementation of these supramolecular structures in various applications.
