Designing new protein-based biomaterials was pursued via a combinatorial approach generating new protein copolymer systems that exploit the useful properties of both silks and elastins. The approach incorporated a stabilizing repeat from Bombyx mori silk (GAGAGS), responsible for physical crosslinks as �-sheets, into elastin repeats. The elastic properties of mammalian elastin, imparted by the GVGVP repeat motif, along with its inverse temperature transition, make this a useful biomaterial for more dynamic biomaterial systems. This genetic combinatorial strategy generates diverse silk-elastin clones varying in size, block distribution and sequence chemistry. Several selected recombinant proteins were purified and evaluated with respect to mechanical and physical properties. Reversible inverse temperature transitions and the formation of hydrogels were assessed, along with modes to screen a broader set of sequences in the library. These copolymer protein systems, with dynamic properties and built-in crosslink sites, offer a range of properties for drug delivery and regenerative medicine.

Generation of a family of recombinant silk-elastin proteins using a combinatorial approach

239th National Meeting (2010)

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