The utilization of viral nanoparticles (VNPs) in nanosciences and nanotechnology has become a popular field of research. From a materials science point of view, VNPs are attractive building blocks for several reasons: The particles are on the nanometer size scale, they are monodisperse with a high degree of symmetry and polyvalency, they can be produced with ease on large scale, and they are exceptionally stable and robust, biocompatible, and bioavailable. VNPs are “programmable” units that can be modified by either genetic modification or chemical bioconjugation methods.
This book gives an overview of the applications of VNPs in the areas ranging from materials science to biomedicine and provides a summary of the many different VNP building blocks and describes chemistries that allow one to attach, entrap, or display functionalities on VNPs. Turning toward potential applications, the book outlines the strategies for the construction of 1-, 2-, and 3-D arrays. It also highlights the manifold achievements in utilizing VNPs as tools for novel biosensors and nanoelectronic devices. The book also describes efforts in designing VNPs for biomedical applications, including their use as gene delivery vectors, novel vaccines, imaging modalities, and applications in targeted therapeutics.
