# US 9,751,913 B2 · Metamaterial optical elements self-assembled on protein scaffolds

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- Number: US 9,751,913 B2
- Document ID: US9751913B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/207,807
- Filed: 2014-03-13
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2012-01-12
- Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
- Applicants: Banahalli R. Ratna; Carissa M. Soto; Ronald W. Rendell; Jake Fontana; Jeffrey R. Deschamps
- Inventors: Banahalli R. Ratna; Carissa M. Soto; Ronald W. Rendell; Jake Fontana; Jeffrey R. Deschamps
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751913B2

## CPC

- C07K 14/005: from viruses
- B82Y 20/00: Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
- G01N 21/554: {detecting the surface plasmon resonance of nanostructured metals, e.g. localised surface plasmon resonance}
- H01B 1/02: mainly consisting of metals or alloys
- H01B 1/12: organic substances {(organic macromolecular compounds or compositions C08)}
- B82Y 30/00: Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
- B82Y 40/00: Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
- C07K: PEPTIDES (peptides in foodstuffs A23; obtaining protein compositions for foodstuffs, working-up proteins for foodstuffs A23J; preparations for medicinal purposes A61K; peptides containing beta-lactam rings C07D; cyclic dipeptides not having in their molecule any other peptide link than those which form their ring, e.g. piperazine-2,5-diones, C07D; ergot alkaloids of the cyclic peptide type C07D519/02; macromolecular compounds having statistically distributed amino acid units in their molecules, i.e. when the preparation does not provide for a specific; but for a random sequence of the amino acid units, homopolyamides and block copolyamides derived from amino acids C08G69/00; macromolecular products derived from proteins C08H1/00; preparation of glue or gelatine C09H; single cell proteins, enzymes C12N; genetic engineering processes for obtaining peptides C12N15/00; compositions for measuring or testing processes involving enzymes C12Q; investigation or analysis of biological material G01N33/00)
- B82Y: SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- H01B: CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES (selection for magnetic properties H01F1/00; waveguides H01P {; printed circuits H05K})

## Abstract

A genetically modified cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) protein capsid serves as a scaffold for metal nanoparticles, preferably gold nanospheres, of 15 nm to 35 nm, creating plasmonic nanoclusters. The self-assembled nanoclusters gave rise to a 10-fold surface-averaged enhancement of the local electromagnetic field. Other viral capsids or virus-like proteins may also serve as such scaffolds.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A nanocluster comprising:
a cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) protein capsid, the protein genetically modified to incorporate a plurality of cysteine residues providing thiol groups on an exterior surface of the capsid, and
a plurality of metal nanoparticles with a size between 15 nm and 35 nm bound to the thiol groups.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The nanocluster of claim 1, wherein twelve clusters of thiol groups are present on said exterior surface of said capsid.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The nanocluster of claim 1, wherein said protein comprises SEQ ID No: 7.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The nanocluster of claim 1, wherein said metal nanoparticles comprise gold nanoparticles and/or silver nanoparticles.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The nanocluster of claim 1, where said metal nanoparticles are gold nanospheres all of approximately the same size.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The nanocluster of claim 5, wherein said gold nanospheres have a size between 17 nm and 35 nm.

### Claim 7

A nanocluster comprising:
a viral protein capsid comprising thiol groups suitable for binding metallic nanoparticles and
a plurality of metal nanoparticles with a size between of 15 nm to 35 nm bound to the thiol groups.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The nanocluster of claim 7, wherein said viral protein capsid is in a state of being genetically engineered to incorporate additional cysteine residues.