Nanopore formation by self-assembly of the model genetically engineered elastin-like polymer [(VPGVG)2(VPGEG)(VPGVG)2]15

Abstract

Elastin-like polymers (ELPs) are a new class of synthetic poly-peptides whose composition has been inspired by the repeating sequences found in natural elastin. These polymers are gaining a strong reputation as models for the understanding of the folding, self-assembly, and function of natural proteins. Furthermore, ELPs have shown a wide set of significant properties of interest in fields such as biomaterial science, biomedical engineering and nanotechnology. Among their most outstanding characteristics are their almost ideal elastomeric behavior, extraordinary biocompatibility and biofunctionality, acute smart nature, and self-assembly; all of these are of interest for bottom-up nanofabrication of advanced devices.