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Engineering shape memory and morphing protein hydrogels based on protein unfolding and folding

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  • Qingyuan Bian

    (University of British Columbia)

  • Linglan Fu

    (University of British Columbia)

  • Hongbin Li

    (University of British Columbia)

Abstract

Engineering shape memory/morphing materials have achieved considerable progress in polymer-based systems with broad potential applications. However, engineering protein-based shape memory/morphing materials remains challenging and under-explored. Here we report the design of a bilayer protein-based shape memory/morphing hydrogel based on protein folding-unfolding mechanism. We fabricate the protein-bilayer structure using two tandem modular elastomeric proteins (GB1)8 and (FL)8. Both protein layers display distinct denaturant-dependent swelling profiles and Young’s moduli. Due to such protein unfolding-folding induced changes in swelling, the bilayer hydrogels display highly tunable and reversible bidirectional bending deformation depending upon the denaturant concentration and layer geometry. Based on these programmable and reversible bending behaviors, we further utilize the protein-bilayer structure as hinge to realize one-dimensional to two-dimensional and two-dimensional to three-dimensional folding transformations of patterned hydrogels. The present work will offer new inspirations for the design and fabrication of novel shape morphing materials.

Suggested Citation

  • Qingyuan Bian & Linglan Fu & Hongbin Li, 2022. "Engineering shape memory and morphing protein hydrogels based on protein unfolding and folding," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-27744-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27744-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Kuan Zhang & Yu Zhou & Junsheng Zhang & Qing Liu & Christina Hanenberg & Ahmed Mourran & Xin Wang & Xiang Gao & Yi Cao & Andreas Herrmann & Lifei Zheng, 2024. "Shape morphing of hydrogels by harnessing enzyme enabled mechanoresponse," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Matt D. G. Hughes & Sophie Cussons & Benjamin S. Hanson & Kalila R. Cook & Tímea Feller & Najet Mahmoudi & Daniel L. Baker & Robert Ariëns & David A. Head & David J. Brockwell & Lorna Dougan, 2023. "Building block aspect ratio controls assembly, architecture, and mechanics of synthetic and natural protein networks," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Kexin Guo & Xuehan Yang & Chao Zhou & Chuang Li, 2024. "Self-regulated reversal deformation and locomotion of structurally homogenous hydrogels subjected to constant light illumination," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.

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