Reflectin proteins have gained recent interest in the scientific community for the unique spectral properties associated with recombinant reflectin protein materials.  Our interest in elucidation of a functional unit that drives self-assembly of reflectin-based materials has led us to develop an approach for systematic investigation of a library of reflectin-based protein sequences. We are targeting a variety of combinations including monomeric, dimeric, native, and chimeric sequences. For example, we have generated novel biopolymers by fusing reflectin sequences to elastin-mimetic gene sequences at the DNA level to generate fusion protein diblock copolymers. A diblock elastin-reflectin material has been expressed and characterization of this new material is currently underway. The self-assembly properties of this elastin-reflectin material have been investigated using a variety of techniques.  The unique spectral properties associated with recombinant reflectin protein materials make elastin-reflectin chimeric protein polymers attractive targets for biomaterial engineering applications.

Biosynthesis and characterization of novel reflectin-based protein polymers

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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