Protein nanofibres of defined morphology prepared from mixtures of crude crystallins
Date
2009
Authors
Garvey, M.
Gras, S.
Meehan, S.
Meade, S.
Carver, J.
Gerrard, J.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2009; 6(3-4):258-273
Statement of Responsibility
M. Garvey, S.L. Gras, S. Meehan, S.J. Meade, J.A. Carver, J.A. Gerrard
Conference Name
Abstract
Self assembling protein nanofibres have great potential within the nanotechnology industry. To realise this potential, nanofibres need to be manufactured on a commercial scale. To date, amyloid fibrils, a form of protein nanofibre with desirable bionanotechnological properties, have only been produced using expensive and time-costly, small-scale methods. This paper describes the production of protein nanofibres from semi-pure and crude mixtures of bovine crystallin proteins, currently a waste product in the meat industry. These nanofibres displayed amyloid fibril characteristics. Moreover, distinct fibre morphologies were observed dependent upon the formation conditions adopted. This research shows that amyloid fibrils can be inexpensively produced from crude crystallin protein mixtures, making them a potential industrial source for protein nanofibres.