Highlight Photo
Peptide-Templated Interfacial Biominerization
Peptide based nucleation of abiotic crystals at the air-water interface.
Peptide based nucleation of abiotic crystals at the air-water interface. The rationally designed peptide is shown from the side (top left) and down the axis of the peptide backbone (top right). Hydrophobic amino acids (Valine) are shown in yellow and hydrophilic amino acids are shown in blue. A well nucleated secondary structure defines the spacing of amino acids on the hydrophilic side. Here acidic (negative) amino acids are fixed at 1.38 nm apart. (bottom) Brewster angle microscopy of peptide at air water interface.
Credits: Raymond Tu
