Preparation of Bioconjugates of Chimeric M13 Phage and Gold Nanorods

Phage-nanomaterial conjugates are functional bio-nanofibers with various applications. While phage display can select for phages with desired genetically encoded functions and properties, nanomaterials can endow the phages with additional features at nanoscale dimensions. Therefore, combining phages with nanotechnology can construct bioconjugates with unique characteristics. One strategy for filamentous phages is to adsorb nanoparticles onto the side wall, composed of pVIII subunits, through electrostatic interactions. However, a noncovalent approach may cause offloading if the environment changes, potentially causing side effects especially for in vivo applications. Therefore, building stable phage-bioconjugates is an important need. We previously reported the construction of chimeric M13 phage conjugated with gold nanorods, named “phanorods,” without weakening the binding affinity to the bacterial host cells. Herein, we give a detailed protocol for preparing the chimeric M13 phage and covalently conjugating gold nanorods to the phage.