(131a) Fibrous Proteins – Inspiration, Design and Biomaterials

Fibrous proteins represent a unique group of biopolymer systems with which to explore new material designs. Silks, collagens, elastins and resilins are examples of such systems which exhibit remarkable roles as structural and functional materials in nature. Key features of these systems include relatively simple, repetitive primary sequences, coupled with self-programmed structural hierarchy, through which unique mechanical and other properties are attained. In addition, accessibility to genetic re-engineering, along with options for chemical modifications, drive efforts to push the utility of these protein for new biomaterial-related themes, including both fundamental and applied perspectives. Importantly, passive material features from these fibrous proteins are now expanding to more dynamic directions, providing a broader range of functions and utility. Some of these approaches will be reviewed in the context of structure-function control and dynamic biomaterial systems, with an emphasis on silk proteins.