We report a simple and original method to synthesize gold nanoparticles in which a fungal protein,the hydrophobin Vmh2 from Pleurotus ostreatus and dicarboxylic acid-terminated polyethylene-glycol(PEG) has been used as additional components in a one step process, leading to hybrid protein–metalnanoparticles (NPs). The nanoparticles have been characterized by ultra-violet/visible, infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, dynamic light scattering and also by electron microscopy imaging.The results of these analytical techniques highlight nanometric sized, stable, hybrid complexes of about12 nm, with outer surface rich in functional chemical groups. Interaction with protein and antibodies hasalso been exploited.