X-ray-Mediated Release of Molecules and Engineered Proteins from Nanostructure Surfaces

Many applications call for initiation of chemical reactions with highly penetrating X-rays with nanometer precision and little damage to the surroundings, which is difficult to realize because of low interaction cross-sections between hard X-rays and organic matters. Here, we demonstrate that a combination of computational protein design of single conjugation site green fluorescent proteins and nanomaterial engineering of silica-covered gold nanoparticles can enhance the release efficiencies of proteins from the surface of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles, to which the proteins are attached through DNA linkers, provide increased X-ray absorption without scavenging radicals, and single conjugation sites allow efficient release of proteins.