Nanomaterials: amyloids reflect their brighter side

Abstract

Amyloid fibrils belong to the group of ordered nanostructures that are self-assembled from a wide range of polypeptides/ proteins. Amyloids are highly rigid structures possessing a high mechanical strength. Although amyloids have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several human diseases, growing evidence indicates that amyloids may also perform native functions in host organisms. Discovery of such amyloids, referred to as functional amyloids, highlight their possible use in designing novel nanostructure materials. This review summarizes recent advances in the application of amyloids for the development of nanomaterials and prospective applications of such materials in nanotechnology and biomedicine.

Keywords: Nanotechnology; self-assembly; peptide/protein; fibrils; tissue engineering; stem cells; drug delivery; nanowires

(Published: 31 May 2011)

Citation: Nano Reviews 2011, 2: 6032 - DOI: 10.3402/nano.v2i0.6032