title: Biomimetic materials for medical application through enzymatic modification.
abstract: Living organisms synthesize functional materials, based on proteins and polysaccharides, using enzyme-catalyzed reactions. According to the biomimetic approach, biomaterial matrices for tissue engineering are designed to be able to mimic the properties and the functions of the extracellular matrix (ECM). In this chapter, the most significant research efforts dedicated to the study and the preparation of biomimetic materials through enzymatic modifications were reviewed. The functionalizations of different polymeric matrices obtained through the catalytic activity of two enzymes (Transglutaminase, TGase and Tyrosinase, TYRase) were discussed. Specifically, the biomimetic applications of TGase and TYRase to confer appropriate biomimetic properties to the biomaterials, such as the possibility to obtain in situ gelling hydrogels and the incorporation of bioactive molecules (growth factors) and cell-binding peptides into the scaffolds, were reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanics, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Piergiorgio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chiono
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tonda-Turo
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sartori
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciardelli
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004795:Enzyme Stability; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000201:enzymology*; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000737:chemistry*; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase; D011503:Transglutaminases