Discipline: Nanoscience
Subcategory: Chemical/Bimolecular/Process Engineering
Session: 1
Room: Exhibit Hall A
Mya Strickland - Auburn University
Co-Author(s): Yu-Hsuan Lee, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; Samantha Castillo, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, Texas
Nanoparticles can be used for catalysis in the process of converting light hydrocarbons into heavier hydrocarbons for the production of fuels. Because of their nano-sized dimensions, viruses were introduced as the biotemplates to produce one-dimensional nanomaterials. The purpose of this experiment is to produce rod-shaped Barley Stripe Mosaic Virus (BSMV) virus-like particles (VLPs) and to genetically engineer BSMV that could easily be coated with Palladium. The genetic modifications on BSMV allow for longer particle lengths and allow for higher absorption capacity. BSMV was first generated from a bacterial system that would be followed by protein purification process which is used to remove cellular proteins from the E.Coli without inducing aggregation. Our preliminary results have demonstrated that adding a lower concentration of salt in purification chemicals improve the yield of BSMV-VLPs. It supported the idea of less aggregation among the VLPs. The method we developed here allows shortened growth time and the capability for genetic mutation.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): I would like to thank the National Science Foundation and CISTAR ERN for their contributions.
Faculty Advisor: Michael T Harris, mtharris@purdue.edu
Role: I focused on the creation of the nanoparticles through the process of biotemplating, I grew the virus in the bacteria, I worked on the protein purification process, and I coated the particles with the Palladium.