Empty (containing no genomic material) CPMV virus-like particles are loaded within the virus capsid with metal or metal oxide. Metal ions are allowed to diffuse through pores in the capsid surface and are reduced or hydrolyzed to metallic nanoparticles. The external surface of the virus-like particles remains amenable to further chemical modification.
Keywords: Cobalt; Cowpea mosaic virus-like particles; Iron oxide; Protein cages; Templated mineralization.