Biomolecule Protection

Our group has been developing strategies for the encapsulation and protection of biomacromolecules such as proteins, enzymes and DNA. Our approach encapsulates biomacromolecules in a protective coating within seconds in aqueous conditions at room temperature. The coatings used are composed of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of novel crystalline material that our research group has significant expertise in synthesising. Remarkably, we found that the metal-organic framework coating protects proteins and enzymes from environments that typically lead to denaturation and inactivation.

Recent contributions include:

• Control of structure topology and spatial distribution of biomacromolecules in Protein@ZIF-8 biocomposites. Chemistry of Materials, 2018, 30, 1069-1077.

• Protein surface functionalisation as a general strategy for facilitating biomimetic mineralisation of ZIF-8. Chemical Science, 2018, 9, 4217-4223.

• Enhanced activity of enzymes encapsulated in hydrophilic metal-organic frameworks. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2019, 141, 2348-2355.