Protein-coated nanocapsules via multilevel surface modification. Controlled preparation and microscopic analysis at nanometer resolution

We prepared self-assembled vesicles comprising layers of fullerene, alkyl chains, triazole, oligo(ethylene oxide) chains, biotin and avidin molecules. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy using a superhydrophilic indium-tin oxide substrate was found to be useful for nanometer-level structural analysis of the vesicles and individual avidin molecules whose structures are difficult to analyze.