"Mechanical Engineering" of Protein-Based Biomaterials: From Single Molecules to Functional Biomaterials
Hongbin Li
University of British Columbia

June 15, 2012, 1 p.m.


Over the last decade, the development of single molecule force spectroscopy has made it possible to directly probe the mechanical properties of elastomeric proteins at the single molecule level. Combining single molecule atomic force microscopy (AFM) and protein engineering techniques, researchers have started to understand the molecular design principles of elastomeric proteins and use such knowledge to engineer novel elastomeric proteins of tailored nanomechanical properties. Recently we have employed these novel elastomeric proteins as building blocks to construct protein-based biomaterials. Ultimately, we would like to rationally tailor mechanical properties of elastomeric protein-based materials by programming the molecular sequence, and thus nanomechanical properties, of elastomeric proteins at the single-molecule level. This step would help bridge the gap between single protein mechanics and material biomechanics, revealing how the mechanical properties of individual elastomeric proteins are translated into the properties of macroscopic materials. Here I describe our recent efforts in this new area of research. Two examples will be discussed: 1) designing protein-based biomaterials to mimic the passive elastic properties of muscles, and 2) designing protein hydrogels with domain unfolding and loss of water.



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"Mechanical Engineering" of Protein-Based Biomaterials: From Single Molecules to Functional Biomaterials
Hongbin Li
University of British Columbia

June 15, 2012, 1 p.m.


Over the last decade, the development of single molecule force spectroscopy has made it possible to directly probe the mechanical properties of elastomeric proteins at the single molecule level. Combining single molecule atomic force microscopy (AFM) and protein engineering techniques, researchers have started to understand the molecular design principles of elastomeric proteins and use such knowledge to engineer novel elastomeric proteins of tailored nanomechanical properties. Recently we have employed these novel elastomeric proteins as building blocks to construct protein-based biomaterials. Ultimately, we would like to rationally tailor mechanical properties of elastomeric protein-based materials by programming the molecular sequence, and thus nanomechanical properties, of elastomeric proteins at the single-molecule level. This step would help bridge the gap between single protein mechanics and material biomechanics, revealing how the mechanical properties of individual elastomeric proteins are translated into the properties of macroscopic materials. Here I describe our recent efforts in this new area of research. Two examples will be discussed: 1) designing protein-based biomaterials to mimic the passive elastic properties of muscles, and 2) designing protein hydrogels with domain unfolding and loss of water.



Share