Elastin-Based Rubber-Like Hydrogels

Biomacromolecules. 2016 Jul 11;17(7):2409-16. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.6b00515. Epub 2016 Jun 10.

Abstract

We developed rubber-like elastomeric materials using a natural elastin derived sequence and genetic engineering to create precisely defined elastin-like polypeptides. The coiled elastin-like polypeptide chains, which behave like entropic springs, were cross-linked using an end-to-end tethering scheme to synthesize simple hydrogels with excellent extensibility and reversibility. Our hydrogels extend to strains as high as 1500% and remain highly resilient with elastic recovery as high as 94% even at 600% strain, significantly exceeding any other protein-based hydrogel. These materials are valuable as elastomeric hydrogels for designing extremely robust scaffolds useful for tissue engineering.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Elastin / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels / chemistry*
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Rubber / chemistry*
  • Tissue Engineering

Substances

  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Hydrogels
  • Peptides
  • Rubber
  • Elastin