Theme 3

Theme 3: Dynamic Control of Self-Assembling Biomolecules

In this sub-project we are investigating how confinement affects the self-assembly of structural biomolecules, and how these in turn direct mineralisation, and in particular the orientation and polymorph of crystals. Initial work has focussed on collagen assembly in droplet environments, where this readily-available protein offers an attractive model system.

Figure. Images of microfluidic droplets containing neutralised collagen solution. Collagen containing droplets at (a) 1 minute and (b) 2 hours after mixing, and when containing 5 mM calcium chloride (added in the collagen solution) at (c) 1 minute and (d) 2 hours. This also worked for fluorescently labelled collagen, shown at (e) 5 minutes and (f) 3 days after mixing in the absence of calcium, and (g) 5 minutes and (h) 3 days in the presence of 5 mM calcium.