1. Acknowledgements Conclusion The primary goal of this research project was to develop and implement reliable techniques to form nanoparticles using two different precursors. The methods found during this research were tested using the germanium precursor and R5 peptide (concentration of 5 mg/mL) using 10 µL of germanium precursor and 200 µL of phosphate citrate buffer. The methods were then tested using the germanium precursor and poly-l-lysine; both resulted in a high yield of particles The secondary goal of our experiment was to see if titanium (IV) ethoxide, concentration 0.2 µL, would create particles when combined with the macromolecule poly-l-lysine, concentration 2 mg/mL. A positive result was achieved by using the titanium precursor and poly-l-lysine. Abstract Introduction Procedure Results The main focus of this experiment was to create and implement the methods used to form these nanoparticles by diatoms in nature. Overall the methods developed were proved successful. The size and shape of particles created were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Future Research would be to mix the two precursors together with either R5 or PLL. Diatoms, the most common type of algae, are one of the most prevalent organisms in the world. They live in wet ambient environments such as oceans, lakes and rivers and are easily recognizable because of their unique structure. Diatoms are surrounded by a silica cell wall called a frustule. The mineralization of the frustule is initiated and controlled by a small protein (R5). The overall goal of this project is to mimic this frustule self- assembly process and apply it to the formation of SiO 2, GeO 2, and TiO 2 nanoparticles. Nanoparticles have several practical applications among which are surface coating for biological applications and drug delivery. Biomimetic Synthesis of GeO 2 and TiO 2 Utilizing the R5 and Poly-L-Lysine Peptides Talia Helman, Makayla Gessford Joe Baio, PhD, School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering Oregon State University Thank you to: Samples of PLL·PBS·GE Skip Rochefort Pete and Rosalie Johnson Joe Baio Degass Buffer Pipette Precursor Vortex Solution 20 Min Wait Period Centrifuge Drying period Titanium Precursor Trials Germanium Precursor Trials Daten Ge/Soln (µL/µL) R5 /PCB (mg/mL) PLL/PBS (mg/mL) Results 8/12/2013 8/13/2013 20.0235- Not much particle formation 8/14/201310.023-- Lots of white precipitate 8/14/2013 8/26/2013 20.0255- Nothing visible formed 8/26/201310.025-2 Dried nanoparticles formed 8/26/201310.0255- Dried nanoparticles formed 8/27/201320.025-2 White dried nanoparticles 8/27/201320.0255- Nothing formed, thought faulty, forgot to freeze buffer solution 8/27/201320.0255- No particles observed 8/27/201310.025-- White dried precipitate 8/27/201310.025--Nothing observed 8/28/201310.055-Nothing observed 8/28/2013 8/29/2013 30.055- Lots of white particles DatenTi/soln (µL/µL)PLL/PBS (mg/mL)Results 8/28/201320.22 Lots of yellow/white particles formed, very electrostatic 8/29/201310.2- Small amount of particle formation 8/29/201320.22 Lots of yellow/white particles formed 9/10/201310.0242 Small white particles at bottom, more than control 9/10/201310.024- Small white particles formed, very electrostatic The following procedure was implemented specifically for the creation of Germanium and Titanium nanoparticles. Makayla Gessford Trials TiO 2 with PLL GeO 2 with PLL TiO 2 without PLL GeO 2 without PLL The purpose of these trials was to find the correct concentration of GeO 2 in solution with R5 to make nanoparticles. The purpose of these trials was to find the correct concentration of TiO 2 in solution with PLL to make nanoparticles. Germanium precursor + R5 Created by Joe Baio This image shows the current and future research for this project