An opportunity exists in the Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering of the US Naval Research Laboratory to undertake research in creating nanoparticle-enzyme systems for cell-free synthetic biology applications.  This will exploit unique phenomena at the nanomaterial- and especially nanoparticle-biomolecular interface. We are particularly interested in how biomolecular processes, and especially enzyme activity, are altered or even enhanced at this unique materials-biological interface. Relevant examples to be studied include assembling enzymatic cascades around nanoparticles so that they can engage in channeling behavior.The ability to understand and harness these phenomena can help develop a new generation of hybrid nanomaterials capable of high value product synthesis with direct relevance to warfighter performance and battle system components.

 

References

Vranish et al., Pursuing the Promise of Enzymatic Enhancement with Nanoparticle Assemblies. Langmuir 34, 2901-2925 (2018)

Vranish et al., Enhancing Coupled Enzymatic Activity by Conjugating One Enzyme to a Nanoparticle. Nanoscale 9, 5172-5187 (2017)

Breger et al., Understanding How Nanoparticle Attachment Enhances Phosphotriesterase Kinetic Efficiency. ACS Nano 8, 8491-8503 (2015)

Sapsford KE, et al., Functionalizaing Nanoparticles with Biological Molecules: Developing Chemistries that Facilitate Nanotechnology. Chemical Reviews 113, 1904-2074 (2013)

 

 

key words

Bionanotechnology; Nanoparticle; Energy transfer; Enzyme; Kinetics; Cell-Free Synthetic Biology; Biocatalysis; Bioconjugation;

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants