Work

In Cellulo Fabrication of Supramolecular Protein Assemblies

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: In cellulo protein assemblies, spanning protein cages, filaments, crystals, and biomolecular condensates, provide cells with modular strategies to package, organize, and regulate biomolecules and biochemical reactions. Their genetic encodability, structural diversity, and tunable material properties have also made them attractive biomaterials, where in cellulo fabrication has underpinned their precise assembly and broad applicability. This review surveys major classes of natural and engineered assemblies fabricated in cellulo, with particular emphasis on how their structure, chemistry, and material state shape functions. We compare diverse cellular reactors and outline how intracellular milieu, post-translational modifications, and folding/assembly machinery influence assembly outcomes. Engineering strategies for modifying the assemblies are summarized and mapped onto broad applications across fundamental biology, biomedicine, and nonbiological fields. Lastly, we highlight existing opportunities for engineering and designing in cellulo protein assemblies. Through this review, we hope to give a comprehensive overview of this exciting and rapidly growing field and share our perspective on the possible future directions.

Source: Chemical Reviews

DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.5c01095

Authors: Hongru Yang, Chang Woo Song, Jiaxi Lu, Dingchang Lin

Institution: Johns Hopkins University

Language: English

Topic: Supramolecular Self-Assembly in Materials

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: David and Lucile Packard Foundation, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Division of Materials Research, Air Force Office of Scientific Research

Awards: G219182545, G3349103951, G386802225