Programming scheduled self-assembly of circadian materials

Gregor Leech, Lauren Melcher, Michelle Chiu, Maya Nugent, Shirlaine Juliano, Lily Burton, Janet Kang, Soo Ji Kim, Sourav Roy, Leila Farhadi, Jennifer L. Ross, Moumita Das, Michael J. Rust and Rae M. Robertson-Anderson ()
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Gregor Leech: University of San Diego
Lauren Melcher: Rochester Institute of Technology
Michelle Chiu: University of Chicago
Maya Nugent: University of San Diego
Shirlaine Juliano: University of San Diego
Lily Burton: University of Chicago
Janet Kang: University of Chicago
Soo Ji Kim: University of Chicago
Sourav Roy: Syracuse University
Leila Farhadi: Syracuse University
Jennifer L. Ross: Syracuse University
Moumita Das: Rochester Institute of Technology
Michael J. Rust: University of Chicago
Rae M. Robertson-Anderson: University of San Diego

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Active biological molecules present a powerful, yet largely untapped, opportunity to impart autonomous regulation of materials. Because these systems can function robustly to regulate when and where chemical reactions occur, they have the ability to bring complex, life-like behavior to synthetic materials. Here, we achieve this design feat by using functionalized circadian clock proteins, KaiB and KaiC, to engineer time-dependent crosslinking of colloids. The resulting material self-assembles with programmable kinetics, producing macroscopic changes in material properties, via molecular assembly of KaiB-KaiC complexes. We show that colloid crosslinking depends strictly on the phosphorylation state of KaiC, with kinetics that are synced with KaiB-KaiC complexing. Our microscopic image analyses and computational models indicate that the stability of colloidal super-structures depends sensitively on the number of Kai complexes per colloid connection. Consistent with our model predictions, a high concentration stabilizes the material against dissolution after a robust self-assembly phase, while a low concentration allows for oscillatory material structure. This work introduces the concept of harnessing biological timers to control synthetic materials; and, more generally, opens the door to using protein-based reaction networks to endow synthetic systems with life-like functional properties.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55645-5

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