Designed metal-binding sites in biomolecular and bioinorganic interactions

The design of metal-binding functionality in proteins is expanding into many different areas with a wide range of practical and research applications. Here we review several developing areas of metal-related protein design, including the use of metals to induce protein–protein interactions or facilitate the assembly of extended nanostructures; the design of metallopeptides that bind metal and other inorganic surfaces, an area with potential in diverse applications ranging from nanoelectronics and photonics to biotechnology and biomedicine; and, the creation of sensitive and selective metal sensors for use both in vivo and in vitro.