Physically and chemically confined nano-patterns of proteins and bacteriophages

In this study, we present a robust method of fabricating physically and chemically confined nanopatterns of proteins and bacteriophages through a strategic coupling of a top-down based polymeric nano-molding and a bottom-up based biochemical self-assembly. An amphiphilic comb polymer was physically nano-patterned by capillary force lithography using a nanostructured mold material, generating nanopatterns could act as non-biofouling physical barriers. Proteins were then chemically bound onto the ptterned surface flanked by the barrier of nanopatterns over a large-scale area. The high fidelity of nanopatterns was confirmed by the exquisite molecular binding, in which pattern-matching assembly of filamentous M13 bacteriophages was cognitive of the patterned protein molecules. The bacteriophage-assembled nanopatterns revealed that highly anisotropic M13 bacteriophages were selectively captured only on one-dimensional line patterns of proteins where the morphological characteristics of the bacteriophage could be relevantly accommodated. However, no bacteriophage binding was observed on the dot patterned array due to a mismatch in shape dimension. Therefore, it is anticipated that the strategy and ability to regulate the biological recognition by varying the shape or size of nanopatterns can be utilized to develop a screening means for the specific biomolecules or drugs.