RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 Genetic Engineering of Protein-Based Polymers: The Example of Elastinlike Polymers
A1 Rodríguez-Cabello, J. Carlos
A1 Reguera, Javier
A1 Girotti, Alessandra
A1 Arias, F. Javier
A1 Alonso, Matilde
AB In spite of the enormous possibilities of macromolecules as key elements in de- veloping advanced materials with increased functionality and complexity, the success in this development is often limited by the randomness associated with polymer synthesis and the exponential increase in technical difficulties caused by the attempt to reach a suf- ficiently high degree of complexity in the molecular design. This paper describes a new approach in the design of complex and highly functional macromolecules, the genetic engineering of protein-based macromolecules. The exploitation of the efficient machin- ery of protein synthesis in living cells opens a path to obtain extremely well-defined and complex macromolecules. Different molecular designs are presented, with increasing degree of complexity,showing how the controlled increase in their complexity yields (multi)functional materi- als with more select and sophisticated properties. The simplest designs show interesting properties already, but the adequate introduction of given chemical functions along the polymer chain presents an opportunity to expand the range of properties to enhanced smart behavior and self-assembly. Finally, examples are given where those molecular de- signs further incorporate selected bioactivities in order to develop materials for the most cutting-edge applications in the field of biomedicine and nano(bio)technology.
SN 0065-3195
YR 2006
FD 2006
LK https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/72723
UL https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/72723
LA spa
NO Adv. Polym. Sci., 2006, 200, 119-167
DS UVaDOC
RD 18-dic-2024