Biomimetic mineralization of metal-organic frameworks as protective coatings for biomacromolecules

Biomimetic mineralization of metal-organic frameworks as protective coatings for biomacromolecules

4 Jun 2015 | Kang Liang, Raffaele Ricco, Cara M. Doherty, Mark J. Styles, Stephen Bell, Nigel Kirby, Stephen Mudie, David Haylock, Anita J. Hill, Christian J. Doonan & Paolo Falcaro
This article presents a novel method for protecting biomacromolecules using biomimetic mineralization of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The process involves encapsulating biomacromolecules such as proteins, enzymes, and DNA within MOFs, which provides exceptional protection against degradation under extreme conditions. The study demonstrates that under physiological conditions, biomacromolecules can induce the formation of protective MOF coatings by concentrating the framework building blocks and facilitating crystallization around them. The resulting biocomposite is stable under conditions that would normally decompose many biological macromolecules, such as high temperatures and organic solvents. For example, urease and horseradish peroxidase protected within a MOF shell retain bioactivity after being treated at 80°C and boiled in dimethylformamide (153°C), respectively. The process is rapid, low-cost, and biomimetic, offering new possibilities for the application of biomacromolecules in various fields. The study also shows that the MOF coatings can be removed via pH modulation, allowing for controlled release of the encapsulated biomacromolecules. The protective properties of the MOF coatings are compared to other porous materials, and the results demonstrate that MOF coatings provide superior protection. The study highlights the potential of MOFs as a versatile and general method for encapsulating biomacromolecules, with applications in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and biobanking. The research is supported by various funding sources and acknowledges the contributions of multiple researchers.This article presents a novel method for protecting biomacromolecules using biomimetic mineralization of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The process involves encapsulating biomacromolecules such as proteins, enzymes, and DNA within MOFs, which provides exceptional protection against degradation under extreme conditions. The study demonstrates that under physiological conditions, biomacromolecules can induce the formation of protective MOF coatings by concentrating the framework building blocks and facilitating crystallization around them. The resulting biocomposite is stable under conditions that would normally decompose many biological macromolecules, such as high temperatures and organic solvents. For example, urease and horseradish peroxidase protected within a MOF shell retain bioactivity after being treated at 80°C and boiled in dimethylformamide (153°C), respectively. The process is rapid, low-cost, and biomimetic, offering new possibilities for the application of biomacromolecules in various fields. The study also shows that the MOF coatings can be removed via pH modulation, allowing for controlled release of the encapsulated biomacromolecules. The protective properties of the MOF coatings are compared to other porous materials, and the results demonstrate that MOF coatings provide superior protection. The study highlights the potential of MOFs as a versatile and general method for encapsulating biomacromolecules, with applications in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and biobanking. The research is supported by various funding sources and acknowledges the contributions of multiple researchers.
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