Disordered protein-graphene oxide co-assembly and supramolecular biofabrication of functional fluidic devices

Nat Commun. 2020 Mar 4;11(1):1182. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-14716-z.

Abstract

Supramolecular chemistry offers an exciting opportunity to assemble materials with molecular precision. However, there remains an unmet need to turn molecular self-assembly into functional materials and devices. Harnessing the inherent properties of both disordered proteins and graphene oxide (GO), we report a disordered protein-GO co-assembling system that through a diffusion-reaction process and disorder-to-order transitions generates hierarchically organized materials that exhibit high stability and access to non-equilibrium on demand. We use experimental approaches and molecular dynamics simulations to describe the underlying molecular mechanism of formation and establish key rules for its design and regulation. Through rapid prototyping techniques, we demonstrate the system's capacity to be controlled with spatio-temporal precision into well-defined capillary-like fluidic microstructures with a high level of biocompatibility and, importantly, the capacity to withstand flow. Our study presents an innovative approach to transform rational supramolecular design into functional engineering with potential widespread use in microfluidic systems and organ-on-a-chip platforms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bioprinting / methods*
  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods
  • Cell Line
  • Chick Embryo
  • Chorioallantoic Membrane
  • Equipment Design / methods*
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Lab-On-A-Chip Devices*
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional
  • Protein Multimerization
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • ets-Domain Protein Elk-1 / chemistry*

Substances

  • ets-Domain Protein Elk-1
  • graphene oxide
  • Graphite