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Artificial Protein Hydrogel Materials

Petka, W. A. and Harden, J. L. and Sakata, J. A. and Tirrell, D. A. (1999) Artificial Protein Hydrogel Materials. In: Biomedical materials--drug delivery, implants, and tissue engineering : symposium held November 30-December 1, 1998, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings. No.550. Materials Research Society , Warrendale, PA, pp. 23-28. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20150114-143114789

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Abstract

Recombinant DNA methods were used to create a new class of artificial proteins that undergo reversible gelation in response to changes in pH or temperature. These proteins consist of terminal a-helical "leucine zipper" domains flanking a central, water-soluble polyelectrolyte segment. The formation of coiled-coil aggregates of the terminal domains in near-neutral pH solution triggers formation of a polymer hydrogel, with the central polyelectrolyte segment retaining solvent and preventing precipitation of the chains. Dissociation of the coiled-coil aggregates through elevation of pH or temperature causes dissolution of the gel and a return to the viscous behavior characteristic of a polymer solution. The pH and temperature range of the hydrogel state and its viscoelastic properties may be systematically varied through precise changes of the length, composition and charge density of the terminal and central blocks. Such control is of value in designing hydrogels with predetermined physical properties and makes these biosynthetic triblock copolymer systems attractive candidates for use in molecular and cellular encapsulation and in controlled reagent delivery.


Item Type:Book Section
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
http://dx.doi.org/10.1557/PROC-550-23DOIArticle
http://journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S1946427400265172PublisherArticle
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Tirrell, D. A.0000-0003-3175-4596
Additional Information:©1999 Materials Research Society. We acknowledge support by grants from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Army Natick Research Development and Engineering Center (to D.A. Tirrell). We thank K. P. McGrath for useful discussions and assistance in the early phase of this project, and D. Wirtz and J. H. van Zanten for the use of DWS facilities.
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U.S. Army Natick Research Development and Engineering CenterUNSPECIFIED
Series Name:Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings
Issue or Number:550
DOI:10.1557/PROC-550-23
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20150114-143114789
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20150114-143114789
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:53734
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Anne Hormann
Deposited On:16 Jan 2015 00:55
Last Modified:10 Nov 2021 20:06

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