Viruses and protein cages as nanocontainers and nanoreactors

Abstract

In this highlight, recent studies related to the use of viral capsids and other protein cages as nanocontainers and nanoreactors are discussed. The templating of chemical reactions within these biological hollow scaffolds is an emerging area which has allowed the synthesis of inorganic materials with nanoscale dimensions. Encapsulation of synthetic polymers, enzymes working within viral capsids, and the solubilisation of protein cages in organic solvents are some other examples of research that is currently being performed and reviewed in this article.