1
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Gregorio NE, DeForest CA. PhoCoil: An Injectable and Photodegradable Single-component Recombinant Protein Hydrogel for Localized Therapeutic Cell Delivery. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.07.592971. [PMID: 38766128 PMCID: PMC11100756 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.07.592971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Hydrogel biomaterials offer great promise for 3D cell culture and therapeutic delivery. Despite many successes, challenges persist in that gels formed from natural proteins are only marginally tunable while those derived from synthetic polymers lack intrinsic bioinstructivity. Towards the creation of biomaterials with both excellent biocompatibility and customizability, recombinant protein-based hydrogels have emerged as molecularly defined and user-programmable platforms that mimic the proteinaceous nature of the extracellular matrix. Here, we introduce PhoCoil, a dynamically tunable recombinant hydrogel formed from a single protein component with unique multi-stimuli responsiveness. Physical crosslinking through coiled-coil interactions promotes rapid shear-thinning and self-healing behavior, rendering the gel injectable, while an included photodegradable motif affords on-demand network dissolution via visible light. PhoCoil gel photodegradation can be spatiotemporally and lithographically controlled in a dose-dependent manner, through complex tissue, and without harm to encapsulated cells. We anticipate that PhoCoil will enable new applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cole A. DeForest
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington
- Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington
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2
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Nasu E, Kawakami N, Takamura S, Hotta A, Arai R, Miyamoto K. Thermally Reversible Gel-Sol Transition of Hydrogels via Dissociation and Association of an Artificial Protein Nanocage. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:2358-2366. [PMID: 38445465 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Oligomeric protein nanocages often disassemble into their subunits and reassemble by external stimuli. Thus, using these nanocages as cross-linkers for hydrogel network structures is a promising approach to allow hydrogels to undergo stimuli-responsive gel-sol transitions or self-healing. Here, we report hydrogels that show a reversible gel-sol transition resulting from the heat-induced dissociation and reassociation of protein nanocages. The hydrogel contained the 60-mer artificial protein nanocage, TIP60, as a supramolecular cross-linker for polyethylene glycol network structures. The hydrogel showed a gel-to-sol transition upon heating at a temperature above the melting point of TIP60 and immediately returned to a gel state upon cooling to room temperature. During the heating and cooling treatment of the hydrogel, small-angle X-ray scattering analysis suggested the dissociation and reassociation of TIP60. Furthermore, we demonstrated redox-responsive cargo release from TIP60 in the hydrogel. These results showed the potential of TIP60 as a component of multi-stimuli-responsive hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Nasu
- Department of Bioscience and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-8522, Japan
| | - Norifumi Kawakami
- Department of Bioscience and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-8522, Japan
| | - Shuhei Takamura
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-8522, Japan
| | - Atsushi Hotta
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-8522, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Arai
- Department of Biomolecular Innovation, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge Research, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
- Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
| | - Kenji Miyamoto
- Department of Bioscience and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-8522, Japan
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3
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Lu Y, Chen Y, Zhu Y, Zhao J, Ren K, Lu Z, Li J, Hao Z. Stimuli-Responsive Protein Hydrogels: Their Design, Properties, and Biomedical Applications. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:4652. [PMID: 38139904 PMCID: PMC10747532 DOI: 10.3390/polym15244652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein-based hydrogels are considered ideal biomaterials due to their high biocompatibility, diverse structure, and their improved bioactivity and biodegradability. However, it remains challenging to mimic the native extracellular matrices that can dynamically respond to environmental stimuli. The combination of stimuli-responsive functionalities with engineered protein hydrogels has facilitated the development of new smart hydrogels with tunable biomechanics and biological properties that are triggered by cyto-compatible stimuli. This review summarizes the recent advancements of responsive hydrogels prepared from engineered proteins and integrated with physical, chemical or biological responsive moieties. We underscore the design principles and fabrication approaches of responsive protein hydrogels, and their biomedical applications in disease treatment, drug delivery, and tissue engineering are briefly discussed. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives in this field are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Lu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (Y.L.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yuhe Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (Y.L.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yuhan Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (Y.Z.); (J.Z.)
| | - Jingyi Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (Y.Z.); (J.Z.)
| | - Ketong Ren
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (Y.Z.); (J.Z.)
| | - Zhao Lu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (Y.Z.); (J.Z.)
| | - Jun Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (Y.Z.); (J.Z.)
| | - Ziyang Hao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (Y.Z.); (J.Z.)
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4
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Yu Y, Yu T, Wang X, Liu D. Functional Hydrogels and Their Applications in Craniomaxillofacial Bone Regeneration. Pharmaceutics 2022; 15:pharmaceutics15010150. [PMID: 36678779 PMCID: PMC9864650 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Craniomaxillofacial bone defects are characterized by an irregular shape, bacterial and inflammatory environment, aesthetic requirements, and the need for the functional recovery of oral-maxillofacial areas. Conventional clinical treatments are currently unable to achieve high-quality craniomaxillofacial bone regeneration. Hydrogels are a class of multifunctional platforms made of polymers cross-linked with high water content, good biocompatibility, and adjustable physicochemical properties for the intelligent delivery of goods. These characteristics make hydrogel systems a bright prospect for clinical applications in craniomaxillofacial bone. In this review, we briefly demonstrate the properties of hydrogel systems that can come into effect in the field of bone regeneration. In addition, we summarize the hydrogel systems that have been developed for craniomaxillofacial bone regeneration in recent years. Finally, we also discuss the prospects in the field of craniomaxillofacial bone tissue engineering; these discussions can serve as an inspiration for future hydrogel design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yu
- Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Tingting Yu
- Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xing Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Correspondence: (X.W.); (D.L.)
| | - Dawei Liu
- Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China
- Correspondence: (X.W.); (D.L.)
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5
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Tang Y, Wang H, Liu S, Pu L, Hu X, Ding J, Xu G, Xu W, Xiang S, Yuan Z. A review of protein hydrogels: Protein assembly mechanisms, properties, and biological applications. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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6
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Slawinski M, Kaeek M, Rajmiel Y, Khoury LR. Acetic Acid Enables Precise Tailoring of the Mechanical Behavior of Protein-Based Hydrogels. NANO LETTERS 2022; 22:6942-6950. [PMID: 36018622 PMCID: PMC9479135 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c01558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Engineering viscoelastic and biocompatible materials with tailored mechanical and microstructure properties capable of mimicking the biological stiffness (<17 kPa) or serving as bioimplants will bring protein-based hydrogels to the forefront in the biomaterials field. Here, we introduce a method that uses different concentrations of acetic acid (AA) to control the covalent tyrosine-tyrosine cross-linking interactions at the nanoscale level during protein-based hydrogel synthesis and manipulates their mechanical and microstructure properties without affecting protein concentration and (un)folding nanomechanics. We demonstrated this approach by adding AA as a precursor to the preparation buffer of a photoactivated protein-based hydrogel mixture. This strategy allowed us to synthesize hydrogels made from bovine serum albumin (BSA) and eight repeats protein L structure, with a fine-tailored wide range of stiffness (2-35 kPa). Together with protein engineering technologies, this method will open new routes in developing and investigating tunable protein-based hydrogels and extend their application toward new horizons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Slawinski
- Department
of Physics, University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee, 3135 N. Maryland Ave, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211, United States
| | - Maria Kaeek
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Technion
Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Yair Rajmiel
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Technion
Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Luai R. Khoury
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Technion
Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
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7
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Fischer AAM, Kramer MM, Radziwill G, Weber W. Shedding light on current trends in molecular optogenetics. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2022; 70:102196. [PMID: 35988347 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.102196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Molecular optogenetics is a highly dynamic research field. In the past two years, the field was characterized by the development of new allosteric switches as well as the forward integration of optogenetics research towards application. Further, two areas of research have significantly gathered momentum, the use of optogenetics to control liquid-liquid phase separation as well as the application of optogenetic tools in the extracellular space. Here, we review these areas and discuss future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra A M Fischer
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21a, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Markus M Kramer
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21a, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gerald Radziwill
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21a, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wilfried Weber
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21a, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
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8
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Hughes MD, Cussons S, Mahmoudi N, Brockwell DJ, Dougan L. Tuning Protein Hydrogel Mechanics through Modulation of Nanoscale Unfolding and Entanglement in Postgelation Relaxation. ACS NANO 2022; 16:10667-10678. [PMID: 35731007 PMCID: PMC9331141 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c02369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Globular folded proteins are versatile nanoscale building blocks to create biomaterials with mechanical robustness and inherent biological functionality due to their specific and well-defined folded structures. Modulating the nanoscale unfolding of protein building blocks during network formation (in situ protein unfolding) provides potent opportunities to control the protein network structure and mechanics. Here, we control protein unfolding during the formation of hydrogels constructed from chemically cross-linked maltose binding protein using ligand binding and the addition of cosolutes to modulate protein kinetic and thermodynamic stability. Bulk shear rheology characterizes the storage moduli of the bound and unbound protein hydrogels and reveals a correlation between network rigidity, characterized as an increase in the storage modulus, and protein thermodynamic stability. Furthermore, analysis of the network relaxation behavior identifies a crossover from an unfolding dominated regime to an entanglement dominated regime. Control of in situ protein unfolding and entanglement provides an important route to finely tune the architecture, mechanics, and dynamic relaxation of protein hydrogels. Such predictive control will be advantageous for future smart biomaterials for applications which require responsive and dynamic modulation of mechanical properties and biological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt D.
G. Hughes
- School of
Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Sophie Cussons
- Astbury Centre
for Structural Molecular Biology, University
of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
- School of
Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Najet Mahmoudi
- ISIS
Neutron
and Muon Spallation Source, STFC Rutherford
Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, U.K.
| | - David J. Brockwell
- Astbury Centre
for Structural Molecular Biology, University
of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
- School of
Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Lorna Dougan
- School of
Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
- Astbury Centre
for Structural Molecular Biology, University
of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
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9
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Emig R, Hoess P, Cai H, Kohl P, Peyronnet R, Weber W, Hörner M. Benchmarking of Cph1 Mutants and DrBphP for Light-Responsive Phytochrome-Based Hydrogels with Reversibly Adjustable Mechanical Properties. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2022; 6:e2000337. [PMID: 35481696 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In the rapidly expanding field of molecular optogenetics, the performance of the engineered systems relies on the switching properties of the underlying genetically encoded photoreceptors. In this study, the bacterial phytochromes Cph1 and DrBphP are engineered, recombinantly produced in Escherichia coli, and characterized regarding their switching properties in order to synthesize biohybrid hydrogels with increased light-responsive stiffness modulations. The R472A mutant of the cyanobacterial phytochrome 1 (Cph1) is identified to confer the phytochrome-based hydrogels with an increased dynamic range for the storage modulus but a different light-response for the loss modulus compared to the original Cph1-based hydrogel. Stiffness measurements of human atrial fibroblasts grown on these hydrogels suggest that differences in the loss modulus at comparable changes in the storage modulus affect cell stiffness and thus underline the importance of matrix viscoelasticity on cellular mechanotransduction. The hydrogels presented here are of interest for analyzing how mammalian cells respond to dynamic viscoelastic cues. Moreover, the Cph1-R472A mutant, as well as the benchmarking of the other phytochrome variants, are expected to foster the development and performance of future optogenetic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramona Emig
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.,Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.,CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Hoess
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hanyang Cai
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Peter Kohl
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.,CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Rémi Peyronnet
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wilfried Weber
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.,Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Hörner
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.,Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
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10
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Duan T, Bian Q, Li H. Protein Hydrogels with Reversibly Patterned Multidimensional Fluorescent Images for Information Storage. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:3009-3016. [PMID: 35749455 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Fluorescent polymeric hydrogels are promising soft and wet media for information storage that are desirable for lifelike biomaterials and flexible electronics. Hydrogels based on engineered proteins have attracted considerable interest. However, their potential utility as information storage media has remained largely unexplored. Here, we report a protein-based hydrogel that can serve as an information storage medium. Using LOVTRAP, which consists of protein LOV2 and its binding partner ZDark1, we developed a novel strategy to decorate/release fluorescent proteins onto/from a blank protein hydrogel slate in light-controlled and spatially defined fashions, reversibly generating fluorescent patterns such as quick response codes. To increase the information storage capacity, we further developed grayscale patterning to generate pseudo-colored multi-dimensional fluorescent images. Results of this new method demonstrate a novel reversible information storage approach in soft and wet materials and open a new avenue toward developing next-generation protein-based smart materials for information storage and anti-counterfeit applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Duan
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Qingyuan Bian
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Hongbin Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
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11
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Månsson LK, Pitenis AA, Wilson MZ. Extracellular Optogenetics at the Interface of Synthetic Biology and Materials Science. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:903982. [PMID: 35774061 PMCID: PMC9237228 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.903982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We review fundamental mechanisms and applications of OptoGels: hydrogels with light-programmable properties endowed by photoswitchable proteins (“optoproteins”) found in nature. Light, as the primary source of energy on earth, has driven evolution to develop highly-tuned functionalities, such as phototropism and circadian entrainment. These functions are mediated through a growing family of optoproteins that respond to the entire visible spectrum ranging from ultraviolet to infrared by changing their structure to transmit signals inside of cells. In a recent series of articles, engineers and biochemists have incorporated optoproteins into a variety of extracellular systems, endowing them with photocontrollability. While other routes exist for dynamically controlling material properties, light-sensitive proteins have several distinct advantages, including precise spatiotemporal control, reversibility, substrate selectivity, as well as biodegradability and biocompatibility. Available conjugation chemistries endow OptoGels with a combinatorially large design space determined by the set of optoproteins and polymer networks. These combinations result in a variety of tunable material properties. Despite their potential, relatively little of the OptoGel design space has been explored. Here, we aim to summarize innovations in this emerging field and highlight potential future applications of these next generation materials. OptoGels show great promise in applications ranging from mechanobiology, to 3D cell and organoid engineering, and programmable cell eluting materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa K. Månsson
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Angela A. Pitenis
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
- Center for BioEngineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Angela A. Pitenis, ; Maxwell Z. Wilson,
| | - Maxwell Z. Wilson
- Center for BioEngineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Angela A. Pitenis, ; Maxwell Z. Wilson,
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