Angela M. Belcher Research Group

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Can engineered viruses and microbes be evolved to assemble functional inorganic–organic nanomaterials for energy, environmental, and medical devices? The Biomolecular Materials Group engineers M13 bacteriophage and other organisms to produce hybrid electronic, magnetic, and catalytic materials used in solar cells, batteries, and diagnostics. They apply directed evolution and biomolecular design to program organisms to nucleate and assemble inorganic components into precisely self-assembled nanostructures. This biologically driven self-assembly leverages non-toxic materials, self-repair, and long-range order to create scalable materials and devices. Ongoing work includes developing biologically enhanced batteries and improved photovoltaics by integrating virus-templated nanostructures into electrodes and active layers.