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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 25: Biomaterials and Biopolymers II (joint session BP/CPP)

CPP 25.1: Topical Talk

Wednesday, March 13, 2013, 09:30–10:00, H43

Processing of recombinant proteins for biomaterials applications: about spider silk and more — •Thomas Scheibel — Universität Bayreuth, Lehrstuhl Biomaterialien, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany

Proteins reflect one fascinating class of natural polymers with huge potential for technical as well as biomedical applications. One well-known example is spider silk, a protein fiber with excellent mechanical properties such as strength and toughness. During 400 million years of evolution spiders became outstanding silk producers. Most spider silks are used for building the web, which reflects an optimized trap for flying prey. We have developed biotechnological methods using bacteria as production hosts which produce structural proteins mimicking the natural ones. Besides the recombinant protein fabrication, we analyzed the natural assembly processes and we have developed spinning techniques to produce protein threads closely resembling natural silk fibers. In addition to fibers, we employ silk proteins in other application forms such as hydrogels, particles or films with tailored properties, which can be employed especially for biomaterials applications.