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Weaving Genetically Engineered Functionality into Mechanically Robust Virus Fibers
Author(s) -
Chiang C.Y.,
Mello C. M.,
Gu J.,
Silva E. C. C. M.,
Van Vliet K. J.,
Belcher A. M.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.200602262
Subject(s) - weaving , materials science , toughness , mechanical strength , nanotechnology , computer science , composite material
Functionality‐tunable fibers fabricated from the M13 virus are found to have mechanical toughness and strength comparable to synthetic homopolymer fibers. The desired functionality can be programmed by manipulating the virus genome (see figure and cover). The tunable functionalities and mechanical properties of the virus fibers show the promise of various applications.