Self-assembling protein filaments designed and built from scratch: Scientists' newfound ability to create these components could lead to constructing entirely novel, useful materials unlike any found in nature

For the first time, scientists have created, from scratch, self-assembling protein filaments built from identical protein subunits that snap together spontaneously to form long, helical, thread-like configurations. Protein filaments are essential components of several structural and moving parts in living cells, as well as many body tissues. Being able to design and build protein filaments could allow for engineering novel materials for nano-electronics or scaffolds for new diagnostic tests.