Colloquium

The interface of biology and materials science has led to new materials with unique structural and functional properties, and new process technologies with the ability to produce, from "bottoms up", a wide range of biomimetic structures. These materials and their designs have broad application as catalysts, sensors, and devices for use in synthesis, cell and tissue engineering, bioanalysis and screening, and nanoelectronics. We have focused on the generation of nanostructures that are functionalized with and in some cases constructed from biological molecules, complete with tailored selectivities and biocatalytic activities at the molecular and nanoscales. In one example, we have incorporated enzymes attached to carbon nanotubes and further embedded into polymeric films, coatings, and paints to form biocatalytically active surfaces. In another case, we have used biocatalysis to generate small molecules that self-assemble with high precision to give novel architectures with functional properties. This talk highlights our recent efforts to exploit the interface of biology with materials science.