Drug Delivery: Proteins can be engineered to form nanocarriers that deliver drugs to specific cells or tissues, enhancing the
targeted drug delivery process.
Biosensors: Protein-based nanosensors can detect biological molecules with high specificity and sensitivity, useful in
medical diagnostics.
Nanofabrication: Proteins can be designed to self-assemble into nanostructures, providing a bottom-up approach to
nanofabrication.
Environmental Monitoring: Engineered proteins can be used in nanosensors to detect environmental pollutants and toxins.
Directed Evolution: This technique mimics natural evolution to create proteins with enhanced properties by iterative rounds of mutation and selection.
Rational Design: Using computational models, researchers predict how changes in amino acid sequences will affect protein structure and function.
CRISPR/Cas9: This genome editing tool is used to introduce precise modifications in the genes encoding proteins.
Phage Display: This method involves displaying peptides or proteins on the surface of bacteriophages to screen for specific binding properties.
Structural Complexity: Proteins are complex molecules with intricate folding patterns, making it difficult to predict how modifications will affect their function.
Stability: Engineered proteins may be less stable than their natural counterparts, limiting their practical applications.
Ethical Concerns: The use of genetic modification raises ethical questions, particularly concerning potential impacts on human health and the environment.
Scalability: Producing engineered proteins on a large scale can be challenging and costly.
