Tubulin Encapsulation of Carbon Nanotubes into Functional Hybrid Assemblies

Functional multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) are obtained by conjugation of MWNTs with tubulin. In vitro polymerization of tubulin–MWNT conjugates with excess free tubulin results in the microtubules encapsulating the MWNTs to yeild nanotube-based biohybrids. The functional biohybrids are manipulated on kinesin-coated surfaces. This strategy represents a new paradigm for the design of hierarchical supramolecular assemblies.