<sod>Lee et al. (2002) reported using [[Genetic engineering|genetically engineered]] [[M13 bacteriophage]] [[virus]]es to create quantum dot [[biocomposite]] structures.<ref name="pmid11988570">{{cite journal |vauthors=Lee SW, Mao C, Flynn CE, Belcher AM |title=Ordering of quantum dots using genetically engineered viruses |journal=Science|volume=296 |year=2002 |pmid=11988570 |doi=10.1126/science.1068054 |issue=5569|bibcode = 2002Sci...296..892L |pages=892–5 }}</ref> As a background to this work, it has previously been shown that genetically engineered viruses can recognize specific [[semiconductor]] surfaces through the method of selection by [[Combinatorial biology|combinatorial phage display]].<ref name="pmid10864319">{{cite journal |vauthors=Whaley SR, English DS, Hu EL, Barbara PF, Belcher AM |title=Selection of peptides with semiconductor binding specificity for directed nanocrystal assembly |journal=Nature |volume=405 |year=2000 |pmid=10864319 |doi=10.1038/35015043 |issue=6787 |pages=665–8}}</ref> Additionally, it is known that [[liquid crystal]]line structures of wild-type viruses (Fd, M13, and [[Tobacco mosaic virus|TMV]]) are adjustable by controlling the solution concentrations, solution [[ionic strength]], and the external [[magnetic field]] applied to the solutions. Consequently, the specific recognition properties of the virus can be used to organize inorganic [[nanocrystal]]s, forming ordered arrays over the length scale defined by liquid crystal formation. Using this information, Lee et al. (2000) were able to create self-assembled, highly oriented, self-supporting films from a phage and [[Zinc sulfide|ZnS]] precursor solution. This system allowed them to vary both the length of bacteriophage and the type of inorganic material through genetic modification and selection.<eod>
<sod>[[Genetic engineering|genetically engineered]] [[M13 bacteriophage]] [[virus]]es allow preparation of quantum dot [[biocomposite]] structures.<ref name="pmid11988570">{{cite journal |vauthors=Lee SW, Mao C, Flynn CE, Belcher AM |title=Ordering of quantum dots using genetically engineered viruses |journal=Science|volume=296 |year=2002 |pmid=11988570 |doi=10.1126/science.1068054 |issue=5569|bibcode = 2002Sci...296..892L |pages=892–5 }}</ref> It had previously been shown that genetically engineered viruses can recognize specific [[semiconductor]] surfaces through the method of selection by [[Combinatorial biology|combinatorial phage display]].<ref name="pmid10864319">{{cite journal |vauthors=Whaley SR, English DS, Hu EL, Barbara PF, Belcher AM |title=Selection of peptides with semiconductor binding specificity for directed nanocrystal assembly |journal=Nature |volume=405 |year=2000 |pmid=10864319 |doi=10.1038/35015043 |issue=6787 |pages=665–8}}</ref> Additionally, it is known that [[liquid crystal]]line structures of wild-type viruses (Fd, M13, and [[Tobacco mosaic virus|TMV]]) are adjustable by controlling the solution concentrations, solution [[ionic strength]], and the external [[magnetic field]] applied to the solutions. Consequently, the specific recognition properties of the virus can be used to organize inorganic [[nanocrystal]]s, forming ordered arrays over the length scale defined by liquid crystal formation. Using this information, Lee et al. (2000) were able to create self-assembled, highly oriented, self-supporting films from a phage and [[Zinc sulfide|ZnS]] precursor solution. This system allowed them to vary both the length of bacteriophage and the type of inorganic material through genetic modification and selection.<eod>