Biomineralization, Bio-Materials and Nano-Materials Chemistry
Letters and Science Distinguished Professor
Director of Center for BioInspired Nanomaterials
Center for Bio-Inspired Nanomaterials (CBIN)
Office: Room113 Chemistry and Biochemistry Building
Labs: Room 108 & 110 Chemistry and Biochemistry Building
P.O. Box 173400
Bozeman, MT 59717
Ph: 406 994-6566
Fax: 406 994 5407
tdouglas chemistry.montana.edu
Research Group: http://capsid.msu.montana.edu/douglasgroup/
B.A. University of California, San Diego, 1986;
Ph.D., Cornell University, 1991;
Postdoctoral, University of Bath (UK) 1992-1994
Courses:
· CHMY 401 ADVANCED INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
· BCHM 580 SPECIAL TOPICS IN BIOCHEMISTRY
Awards:
College of Letters and Sciences Distinguished Professor, Montana State University (2008)
Charles and Nora L. Wiley Award for Meritorious Research, Montana State University (2005)
University Merit Award for Research (1999)
Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching (1996)
Joseph E. Meyer Award for Undergraduate Research, UCSD (1986)
Viruses & other Protein Cage Architectures as Templates for Materials Synthesis
Viruses, and other protein cage architectures, have emerged as platforms for synthetic manipulation with a range of applications from materials to medicine. The use of protein cages as synthetic templates utilizes their inherent properties. An appreciation of these properties has resulted in a paradigm shift from the study of viruses as disease causing agents to highly useful molecular assemblies, which can be chemically and genetically modified. Synthetic manipulation can impart new function to protein cages, combining the best of evolution and truly intelligent design.
Viruses, and protein architectures like ferritin, Dps, and small heat shock proteins can be viewed as molecular containers with three distinct interfaces that impart function (and can be synthetically manipulated). These are: the exterior surface, the interior surface, and the interface between the subunits that make up the overall architecture. These protein cage architectures have been used as constrained reaction environments for the synthesis and sequestration of nanomaterials, the encapsulation of therapeutic drugs, and diagnostic imaging agents. While the interior surfaces can be manipulated to direct encapsulation of a cargo, the outer surfaces have been used to incorporate targeting moieties to direct and target specific surfaces including cells and solid supports. The interface between subunits can influenced to promote disassembly, and reassembly into a wide range of alternate architectural assemblies or which can incorporate metal binding sites.
Recent work in the lab has also focused on the development and use of protein cages, isolated from hyperthermophilic microorganisms, some of which are stable to temperatures up to 120ºC.
Selected Reviews:
1. T. Douglas, M. Young “Viruses: Making Friends With Old Foes” Science (2006) 312, 873-875. [Cover]
2. M. Uchida, M.T. Klem, M Flenniken, M. Allen, Z. Varpness, E. Gillitzer, P. Suci, M. Young and T. Douglas “Biological Containers: Protein Cages as Multifunctional Nanoplatforms” Advanced Materials (2007) 19, 1025-1042.
3. M.T. Klem, M. Young, T. Douglas “Biomimetic Approaches to the Synthesis of Magnetic Nanoparticles” Materials Today (2005) 8, 28-37.
4. M. Young, D. Willits, M. Uchida, T. Douglas “Plant Viruses as Biotemplates for Materials and Their Use in Nanotechnology” Annual Reviews in Phytopathology (2008) 46, 361-368.
5. B. Wiedenheft, M. Flenniken, M.A.Allen, M. Young, T. Douglas “Bioprospecting in high temperature environments; application of thermostable protein cages“ Soft Matter (2007) 3, 1019-1098.
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