Redox Cycling within Nanoparticle-Nucleated Protein Superstructures: Electron Transfer between Nanoparticulate Gold, Molecular Reductant, and Cytochrome .

We previously described how thousands of the heme protein cytochrome (cyt.) self-organize into multilayered, roughly spherical superstructures as initiated by nucleation around one colloidal gold or silver nanoparticle. Within these superstructures, the protein is stabilized to unfolding in buffered media and survives superstructure encapsulation within silica gels and processing to form bioaerogels.