Directed evolution of a protein container

Reactions inside nanoscale protein cages

Chemical reactions are traditionally carried out in bulk solution, but in nature confined spaces, like cell organelles, are used to obtain control in time and space of conversion. One way of studying these reactions in confinement is the development and use of small reaction vessels dispersed in solution, such as vesicles and micelles. The utilization of protein cages as reaction vessels is a relatively new field and very promising as these capsules are inherently monodisperse, in that way providing uniform reaction conditions, and are readily accessible to both chemical and genetic modifications. In this review, we aim to give an overview of the different kinds of nanoscale protein cages that have been employed as confined reaction spaces.