This project will develop new approaches to create nanoparticles using therapeutic proteins as building blocks. The protein building blocks will be designed so that they can assemble together spontaneously to form flexible, elongated nanoparticles; additionally, the protein building blocks will be designed to incorporate clusters of ‘targeting’ molecules that will bind strongly and specifically to diseased cells. These approaches will enable control of the size, shape, and chemistry of the resulting protein nanoparticles, which in turn will determine where the nanoparticles accumulate in the human body after injection .
Project 4. Engineering protein nanostructures to illuminate protein delivery and cellular processing (NSF) – with Prof. Sullivan
