Advanced silk-based genetic polymers with improved cell adhesion properties

Abstract

[Excerpt] Recombinant protein-based polymers (rPBPs) are an emerging class of genetic polymers inspired by Nature and produced by synthetic protein biotechnology approaches. Due to their exceptional physical-chemical and biological characteristics, as well as their ability to be customized for specific applications, rPBPs have been explored for the development of advanced biomaterials [1]. Most of the polymers used as biomaterials thus far have been chemically synthesized, originating random copolymers with diverse and uncontrolled distribution of molecular weight (MW) and composition. However, advances in recombinant DNA technology allow the biological synthesis of fine-tuned rPBPs with precise control of their composition, polymer size and structure [2]. Furthermore, with the development of recombinant protein engineering and biotechnology, it is now possible to design new bioactive rPBPs by combining active peptides/domains from different natural proteins in the same fusion protein. [...]