Recent bioinspired applications of single-chain nanoparticles

Single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) are polymeric soft nano-objects constructed via individual chain compaction which are envisioned as versatile building blocks for the construction of future smart, biofunctional nanodevices. According to their morphology in solution, SCNPs can be classified as (i) sparse SCNPs resembling the morphology of intrinsically disordered proteins having local compact zones connected by flexible spacers and (ii) globular SCNPs having a morphology more akin to that found in native, compact proteins (i.e. enzymes). The objective of this mini-review is to highlight recent bioinspired applications of SCNPs and to give an insight into the current trends of this rapidly evolving field. After a brief introduction to the main techniques employed to construct SCNPs and a clear description of how to tune the morphology in solution of SCNPs, very recent examples of the use of SCNPs as binding protein mimics, reductase-, oxidase-, aldolase-, polymerase- enzyme and metalloenzyme mimics, as well as efficient biosensing elements are described. ©Financial support from the projects MAT2012-31088 (MINECO) and IT-654-13 (GV) is acknowledged. A. L.-S. is grateful to the University of the Basque Country for his UPV/EHU pre-doctoral grant.Peer reviewe