Amijai Saragovi | Functional Protein-Semiconductor Nanotechnology in Microbial Factories

Video Description

*Apply to join Foresight Molecular Machines program:* https://foresight.org/molecular-machines/ A group of scientists, entrepreneurs, and institutional allies who cooperate to advance molecular machines, applications in energy, medicine, and material science, and long-term progress toward Richard Feynman’s vision of nanotechnology. *Amijai Saragovi | Functional Protein-Semiconductor Nanotechnology in Microbial Factories* Abstract: On average, each one of us now generates 7.8 kg of electronic waste per year, raising the need for a paradigm shift toward more sustainable methods of fabricating semiconductor nanotechnology. Nature offers a compelling blueprint: living systems construct complex mineral architectures including shells, bones, and magnetite nano-crystals, by assembling atoms with molecular precision through protein-guided processes. Inspired by these mechanisms, my postdoctoral research in the Baker Lab explored how de novo designed proteins can template the nucleation and growth of inorganic materials, including semiconductors. We designed proteins presenting regularly repeating interfaces that promoted the growth of hematite and the nucleation of ZnO under conditions where control proteins were ineffective. CryoEM analysis of a designed octahedral nanocage with incorporated ZnO-promoting interfaces revealed atomic density likely corresponding to growing ZnO directly adjacent to the designed nucleation sites. These results lay the groundwork for designing functional, highly defined nanoarchitectures that could potentially be fabricated in microbial factories. Short Bio: Amijai Saragovi is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Baker Lab at the Institute for Protein Design (IPD), University of Washington, and is currently transitioning toward establishing an independent research program at Lund University, Sweden. His postdoctoral research focuses on the design of functional protein–semiconductor composite nanostructures and, more broadly, on understanding how structural information encoded in proteins can be projected onto the assembly of inorganic materials. Prior to this, he earned his PhD from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he studied T cell immunometabolism. *Speaker Link* https://www.inbio.design/ *Timecodes* 00:00 Introduction and Speaker Background 01:09 The Problem of E-Waste 02:28 Nature's Solutions to Material Organization 04:37 Introduction to Protein Design 08:21 Research Methodology and Findings 19:33 Future Directions and Applications 22:13 Q&A Session ══════════════════════════════════════ *About The Foresight Institute* The Foresight Institute is a research organization and non-profit that supports the beneficial development of high-impact technologies. Since our founding in 1986 on a vision of guiding powerful technologies, we have continued to evolve into a many-armed organization that focuses on several fields of science and technology that are too ambitious for legacy institutions to support. From molecular nanotechnology, to brain-computer interfaces, space exploration, cryptocommerce, and AI, Foresight gathers leading minds to advance research and accelerate progress toward flourishing futures. *We are entirely funded by your donations. If you enjoy what we do please consider donating through our donation page:* https://foresight.org/donate/ *Visit* https://foresight.org, *subscribe to our channel for more videos or join us here:* *• Twitter:* https://twitter.com/foresightinst *• Facebook:* https://www.facebook.com/foresightinst *• LinkedIn:* https://www.linkedin.com/company/foresight-institute