Professor Markus Linder, Schoold of Chemical Technology, Aalto University, Finland

Molecular design in bio-based materials

We are looking at the possibility to engineer biological molecules, mainly proteins, to self assemble into structures leading to functional materials. The interactions between protein molecules and proteins with different materials components can be highly specific leading to self-assembled structures.

We have been working with adhesive proteins from fungi, showing how these self-assemble into sheets and particles and how they can be used to create interfaces in nanomaterials. Other interactions, such as those between proteins and cellulose can be used to functionalize elemental cellulose fibrils leading to functional gels and composite materials.

This work shows how the very exact molecular engineering that we can do with proteins enables a molecular design of the properties of materials.

Host: Associate professor Henrik Birkedal, iNANO & Dept. of Chemistry, Aarhus University