45
EVENT FORMAT
Lecture
2020
Januar y
12-2 3
Porous materials for the encapsulation, protection and
release of enzymes and bio-therapeutics
A recent development in Metal-organic Framework (MOF) research is the preparation of porous biocomposites. Bio-
molecules can be integrated with MOFs through infiltration, grafting and encapsulation. In this presentation, we will
focus on encapsulation methods by the spontaneous self-assembly around biomacromolecules (e.g. proteins, en-
zymes, carbohydrates) of Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) and related polymorphs. The bioactive properties
of such porous bio-composites will be examined and the synergy between biotherapeutics, biocatalysts and MOFs
will be discussed. Then, opportunities towards the extension of MOF biomineralization in complex biological systems
(e.g. yeast cells) will be highlighted. Finally, we will focus on the current limitations of these systems as possible chal-
lenges for the future progress of MOFs for biotechnology and biomedicine.
SPEAKER Paolo Falcaro
CREDITS 1
Professor in Bio-based Materials Technology at the Graz University of Technology
DESCRIPTION