Bio‐Nanostructures: Protein Bricks: 2D and 3D Bio‐Nanostructures with Shape and Function on Demand (Adv. Mater. 20/2018)

A class of well-defined, complex protein-based 2D and 3D nanostructures with shape and function on demand is manufactured and assembled via “Protein Bricks” by precisely patterning on genetically engineered spider silk using ion and electron beams, as reported by Xiaoxia Xia, Tiger H. Tao, and co-workers in article number 1705919. This approach provides a facile method for excellent biocompatibility, ease of functionalization, heterogeneous nanostructuring, and controllable 3D assembly, shedding light on a wide range of applications such as biosensing for structure enhanced fluorescence and biomimetic microenvironments for controlling cell fate.