title: Self-assembly of block copolymers derived from elastin-mimetic polypeptide sequences.
abstract: Protein polymers derived from elastin-mimetic peptide sequences can be synthesized with near-absolute control of macromolecular architecture using genetic engineering techniques. Elastin-mimetic diblock and triblock copolymers have been prepared using this approach in which the individual elastin blocks display different phase behavior in aqueous solution. The selective collapse of the more hydrophobic blocks above the lower critical solution temperature was employed to drive the thermo-reversible self-assembly of elastin-mimetic diblock and triblock copolymer into protein-based nanoparticles and nano-textured hydrogels, respectively. These materials display considerable promise as biomaterials for applications in drug delivery and soft tissue augmentation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Pierce Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Vincent P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Conticello
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D004549:Elastin / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D007773:Lactates / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D015202:Protein Engineering / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D007773:Lactates; D010455:Peptides; C088513:poly(lactic acid-ethylene glycol); D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D004549:Elastin