title: Elastin-based silver-binding proteins with antibacterial capabilities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop novel elastin-like materials with antibacterial capabilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Artificial proteins bearing AG3 silver-binding motifs (GPG-AG3) were constructed using genetic engineering. GPG-AG3 materials were prepared as GPG-AG3 protein aggregates as well as chemically crosslinked spin-coated thin films. Both GPG-AG3 protein aggregates and thin films were incubated in silver nitrate solution and characterized using electron microscopy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The GPG-AG3 substrates prepared in this work have the ability to nucleate silver under physiological conditions. When tested against gram-negative Escherichia coli bacterial culture, silver-coated GPG-AG3 materials were able to inhibit bacterial growth, confirming their antibacterial properties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antibacterial artificial protein materials were successfully developed, demonstrating promise for use as wound dressings and biomedical implant coatings.
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science & Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
authors.forename: Truong Thi Hong
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Anh
authors.forename: Ma
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Duc Huynh Tien
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Le
authors.forename: Ayae
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sugawara-Narutaki
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fong
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004549:Elastin / Q000737:chemistry*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D012834:Silver; D004549:Elastin