Project
Silk-collagen based pH-responsive triblock copolymers that self-assemble into hydrogels
We developed a new category of biologically produced protein block copolymers making use of genetic engineering.
We combined the properties of collagen and spidersilk in one. This way we combine an inert hydrophilic part and a pH-responsive silkpart in one molecule. Triggered by a change in pH these molecules can self-assemble into supramolecular structures to form hydrogels. We developed acidic and alkaline triblock copolymers to be able to induce self-assembly at different pH conditions.
