Self-Assembly of Globular-Protein-Containing Block Copolymers

Abstract

Self-assembly has emerged as a powerful approach to control nanostructure in materials containing globular proteins, both through templated self-assembly and direct self-assembly of globular protein-polymer conjugates or fusion proteins. The folded structures of globular proteins that are critical to their function introduce complex shapes and interactions into block copolymers that significantly alter the physics of self-assembly. This article discusses the different methods for controlling the nanostructure of globular proteins using block copolymers, highlighting efforts at understanding the physics of self-assembly in concentrated solution and solid-state bioconjugate copolymers.