Monoclonal antibody recognition of histidine-rich peptide encapsulated nanoclusters

Biological systems offer insights into approaches to the problems encountered in the synthesis of nanomaterials. Histidine-rich proteins have been implicated in the biomineralization of heme, copper, and zinc. We have used the repeating consensus sequence AHHAHHAAD from the histidine-rich protein 11 of Plasmodium falciparum to mediate the aqueous self-assembly of several metal sulfide, metal oxide, and zerovalent metal clusters. Additionally, the surface encapsulating histidine-rich epitope is recognized by a monoclonal antibody raised against HRP II.