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Tailored recombinant elastin-like polymers for advanced biomedical and nano(bio)technological applications

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Abstract

The genetic engineering of protein-based polymers is a method that enables, in an easy way, the design of complex and highly functional macromolecules. As examples of this approach, different molecular designs are presented, with increasing degree of complexity, showing how the controlled increase in their complexity yields (multi)functional materials with more selected and sophisticated properties. The simplest designs show interesting properties already, but the adequate introduction of given chemical functions along the polymer chain provides an opportunity to expand the range of properties to enhanced smart behavior and self-assembly. Finally, examples are given where those molecular designs further incorporate selected bioactivities in order to develop materials for the most cutting edge applications in biomedicine and nano(bio)technology.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the “Junta de Castilla y León” (VA002/02), by the MCYT (MAT2000-1764-C02, MAT2001-1853-C02-01, MAT2003-01205 and MAT2004-03484-C02-01) and by the European Commission (Marie Curie Research Training Network BioPolySurf MRTN-CT-2004-005516).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. BIOFORGE research group, Dpto. Física de la Materia Condensada, E.T.S.I.I., Universidad de Valladolid, Paseo del Cauce s/n, 47011, Valladolid, Spain

    F. Javier Arias, Virginia Reboto,  Susana Martín, Isabel López &  J. Carlos Rodríguez-Cabello

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  1. F. Javier Arias
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  2. Virginia Reboto
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  3. Susana Martín
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  4. Isabel López
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  5. J. Carlos Rodríguez-Cabello
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Correspondence to J. Carlos Rodríguez-Cabello.

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Arias, F.J., Reboto, V., Martín, . et al. Tailored recombinant elastin-like polymers for advanced biomedical and nano(bio)technological applications. Biotechnol Lett 28, 687–695 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-006-9045-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-006-9045-3

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