The combination of biology with materials science is a powerful concept, which is only beginning to be explored. Achieving a fundamental understanding, both experimental and computational, of the molecular events that govern biological function and selectivity in nonbiological nanoscale environments is crucial in developing nanostructured biomolecule composite architectures. The mission of Thrust 2 is to enable the efficient and selective interaction of biomolecules with synthetic nanoscale building blocks to generate functional assemblies. We have positioned the thrust squarely at the interface of the biological and material sciences, which closely integrates our expertise in biomolecular engineering; nanomaterial preparation, characterization, and functional assembly; as well as theory and simulation. During the initial funding period, we have focused on the preparation, fundamental understanding, and potential applications of biomolecule/nanomaterial hybrid composites with tailorable structures and functions.

To that end, we continue to be guided by the following fundamental questions:

• How do the unique structural and surface properties of nanoscale materials influence biomolecular structure, function, and stability? What are the key molecular events that govern biomolecule-nanomaterial interactions?
• How can these molecular events be controlled to the extent necessary to promote optimal structure and orientation of biomolecules on nanoscale surfaces? How can the properties of proteins, for example, be engineered to promote functionality on nanoscale materials? Links to Thrust 1 exist here in the likely commonality between protein-nanomaterial and polymer-nanomaterial interactions.
• How can proteins, or other biomolecules, be used to assemble nanostructures into controlled and functionally useful structures?
• What broad-based computational strategies can be used to guide experimental research to enable precise control of biomolecule-nanoscale interactions?

We are using these biomolecular-material hybrid building blocks to generate functional nanoscale assemblies. In this regard, we are specifically focused on biomolecular and natural product template-assisted design of nanostructures, which extend across a wide range of length scales from nm to μm. Connections to Thrust 3 exist for nanoscale architectures that influence cell growth and physiology.