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Center for Nonlinear Studies |
Proteins are bionanomachines. These workhorses of the cell are responsible for a vast array of biological functions. Acting in isolation or as part of larger, often complex machinery, they perform their function through structural and mechanical changes. Studies on the mechanical properties of proteins found in nature have provided much inspiration for the design of biomimetic biopolymers that have a balance of advanced material properties. The ability to tune protein mechanical properties provides new opportunities to create bespoke scaffolds for biomaterial applications. However, a major challenge in soft matter and biological physics is to construct a theory that connects the mechanical properties of an individual biopolymer and the collective response of a biopolymer network. While huge advancements have been made in the characterisation of biopolymers and their networks at the nanoscale and macroscale, the physics which describes the translation of mechanical properties across scales remains elusive.
I will describe our current efforts to provide a systematic and rational approach to folded protein network design, which requires the mechanical and structural properties of the system to be understood at all levels of hierarchical organisation, so that their full potential might be realised. By understanding the physics of the building block (the folded protein) and its connectivity (the cross-linking) we aim to create a platform for the production of biologically functional and responsive networks. This will provide a rich area for exploration in soft matter physics and biophysics and define exciting new directions in the field.
1. Hughes, M. D. G., Cussons, S., Mahmoudi, N., Brockwell, D. J. & Dougan, L. Single molecule protein stabilisation translates to macromolecular mechanics of a protein network. Soft Matter 16, 6389 (2020).
2. Aufderhorst-Roberts, A. Hughes, M. D. G., Hare, A., Head, D.A., Kapur, N., Brockwell, D.J. & Dougan, L, Reaction Rate Governs the Viscoelasticity and Nanostructure of Folded Protein Hydrogels, Biomacromolecules, 21, 4253, (2020).
3. Hanson, B. S. & Dougan, L. Network Growth and Structural Characteristics of Globular Protein Hydrogels. Macromolecules 53, 7335 (2020).
Host: Angel Garcia