Coordination-driven self-assembly of biomolecules and metal ions: Advances in methodology and applications

The synergistic assembly of nanomaterials constitutes a rapidly evolving domain. Biomolecules, encompassing nucleic acids, proteins, polysaccharides, and natural small molecules, function as foundational elements in biological processes. The coordination-driven self-assembly of these biomolecules with metal ions to engender novel functional nanomaterials represents a captivating avenue. These newly fashioned nanomaterials boast superior attributes in sensing, catalysis, imaging, and therapeutic applications, attributable to their biocompatibility and multifunctional nature. In this review, we delineate the distinctive binding sites and metal affinities of biomolecules implicated in coordination chemistry, and we summarize the nanostructures-including nanoparticles, nanofibers, nanoflowers, and others-that arise from biomolecular coordination assembly, along with their advanced applications. Ultimately, we explore the prospects and challenges that lie ahead in this burgeoning field.