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Tan YL, Leow Y, Min Wong JH, Loh XJ, Goh R. Exploring Stimuli-Responsive Natural Processes for the Fabrication of High-Performance Materials. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:5437-5453. [PMID: 39153005 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00718] [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: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Climate change and environmental pollution have underscored the urgency for more sustainable alternatives in synthetic polymer production. Nature's repertoire of biopolymers with excellent multifaceted properties alongside biodegradability could inspire next-generation innovative green polymer fabrication routes. Stimuli-induced processing, driven by changes in environmental factors, such as pH, ionic strength, and mechanical forces, plays a crucial role in natural polymeric self-assembly process. This perspective aims to close the gap in understanding biopolymer formation by highlighting the essential role of stimuli triggers in facilitating the bottom-up fabrication, allowing for the formation of intricate hierarchical structures. In particular, this perspective will delve into the stimuli-responsive processing of high-performance biopolymers produced by mussels, caddisflies, velvet worms, sharks, whelks, and squids, which are known for their robust mechanical properties, durability, and wet adhesion capabilities. Finally, we provide an overview of current advancements and challenges in understanding stimuli-induced natural formation pathways and their translation to biomimetic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yee Lin Tan
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, #08-03 Innovis, Singapore 138634, Republic of Singapore
| | - Yihao Leow
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, #08-03 Innovis, Singapore 138634, Republic of Singapore
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore 639798, Republic of Singapore
| | - Joey Hui Min Wong
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, #08-03 Innovis, Singapore 138634, Republic of Singapore
| | - Xian Jun Loh
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, #08-03 Innovis, Singapore 138634, Republic of Singapore
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore 639798, Republic of Singapore
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS), 9 Engineering Drive, Singapore 117576, Republic of Singapore
| | - Rubayn Goh
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, #08-03 Innovis, Singapore 138634, Republic of Singapore
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2
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Saran R, Klein M, Sharma B, Loke JJ, Perrin QM, Miserez A. Proton conductivity of the protein-based velvet worm slime. iScience 2024; 27:110216. [PMID: 39055923 PMCID: PMC11269932 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The properties of complex bodily fluids are linked to their biological functions through natural selection. Velvet worms capture their prey by ensnaring them with a proteinaceous fluid (slime). We examined the electrical conductivity of slime and found that dry slime is an insulator. However, its conductivity can increase by up to 106 times in its hydrated state, which can be further increased by an order in magnitude under acidic hydration (pH ≈ 2.3). The transient current measured using ion-blocking electrodes showed a continuous decay for up to 7 h, revealing slime's nature as a proton conducting material. Slime undergoes a spontaneous fibrilization process producing high aspect ratio ≈ 105 fibers that exhibit an average conductivity ≈2.4 ± 1.1 mS cm-1. These findings enhance our understanding of slime as a natural biopolymer and provide molecular-level guidelines to rationally design biomaterials that may be employed as hygroscopic conductors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rinku Saran
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory, Centre for Sustainable Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Maciej Klein
- Centre for Disruptive Photonic Technologies, The Photonic Institute, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371, Singapore
- Division of Physics and Applied Physics, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371, Singapore
| | - Bhargy Sharma
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory, Centre for Sustainable Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Jun Jie Loke
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory, Centre for Sustainable Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Quentin Moana Perrin
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory, Centre for Sustainable Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Ali Miserez
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory, Centre for Sustainable Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
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3
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Li K, Wang J, Xu J, Sun X, Li P, Fan Y. Construction of chitosan-gelatin polysaccharide-protein composite hydrogel via mechanical stretching and its biocompatibility in vivo. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 264:130357. [PMID: 38395273 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Natural polysaccharides and protein macromolecules are the important components of extracellular matrix (ECM), but individual component generally exhibits weak mechanical property, limited biological function or strong immunogenicity in tissue engineering. Herein, gelatin (Gel) was deposited to the stretched (65 %) chitosan (CS) hydrogel substrates to fabricate the polysaccharide-protein CS-Gel-65 % composite hydrogels to mimic the natural component of ECM and improve the above deficiencies. CS hydrogel substrates under different stretching deformations exhibited tunable morphology, chemical property and wettability, having a vital influence on the secondary structures of deposited fibrous Gel protein, namely appearing with the decreased β-sheet content in stretched CS hydrogel. Gel also produced a more homogenous distribution on the stretched CS hydrogel substrate due to the unfolding of Gel and increased interactions between Gel and CS than on the unstretched substrate. Moreover, the polysaccharide-protein composite hydrogel possessed enhanced mechanical property and oriented structure via stretching-drying method. Besides, in vivo subcutaneous implantation indicated that the CS-Gel-65 % composite hydrogel showed lower immunogenicity, thinner fibrous capsule, better angiogenesis effect and increased M2/M1 of macrophage phenotype. Polysaccharide-protein CS-Gel-65 % composite hydrogel offers a novel material as a tissue engineering scaffold, which could promote angiogenesis and build a good immune microenvironment for the damaged tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Li
- Key Laboratory of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (Beihang University), Ministry of Education Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jingxi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (Beihang University), Ministry of Education Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Junwei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (Beihang University), Ministry of Education Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Xuemei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (Beihang University), Ministry of Education Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Ping Li
- Key Laboratory of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (Beihang University), Ministry of Education Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Yubo Fan
- Key Laboratory of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology (Beihang University), Ministry of Education Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China; School of Medical Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
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4
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Poulhazan A, Baer A, Daliaho G, Mentink-Vigier F, Arnold AA, Browne DC, Hering L, Archer-Hartmann S, Pepi LE, Azadi P, Schmidt S, Mayer G, Marcotte I, Harrington MJ. Peculiar Phosphonate Modifications of Velvet Worm Slime Revealed by Advanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Mass Spectrometry. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:20749-20754. [PMID: 37722679 PMCID: PMC10540779 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c06798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Nature is rich with examples of highly specialized biological materials produced by organisms for functions, including defense, hunting, and protection. Along these lines, velvet worms (Onychophora) expel a protein-based slime used for hunting and defense that upon shearing and dehydration forms fibers as stiff as thermoplastics. These fibers can dissolve back into their precursor proteins in water, after which they can be drawn into new fibers, providing biological inspiration to design recyclable materials. Elevated phosphorus content in velvet worm slime was previously observed and putatively ascribed to protein phosphorylation. Here, we show instead that phosphorus is primarily present as phosphonate moieties in the slime of distantly related velvet worm species. Using high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), natural abundance dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), and mass spectrometry (MS), we demonstrate that 2-aminoethyl phosphonate (2-AEP) is associated with glycans linked to large slime proteins, while transcriptomic analyses confirm the expression of 2-AEP synthesizing enzymes in slime glands. The evolutionary conservation of this rare protein modification suggests an essential functional role of phosphonates in velvet worm slime and should stimulate further study of the function of this unusual chemical modification in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Poulhazan
- Department
of Chemistry, Université du Québec
à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H2X 2J6, Canada
| | - Alexander Baer
- Department
of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University
of Kassel, Kassel D-34132, Germany
| | - Gagan Daliaho
- Department
of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0B8, Canada
| | | | - Alexandre A. Arnold
- Department
of Chemistry, Université du Québec
à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H2X 2J6, Canada
| | - Darren C. Browne
- Department
of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University
of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados BB11000, West Indies
| | - Lars Hering
- Department
of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University
of Kassel, Kassel D-34132, Germany
| | | | - Lauren E. Pepi
- Complex
Carbohydrate Research Center, University
of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Parastoo Azadi
- Complex
Carbohydrate Research Center, University
of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Stephan Schmidt
- Chemistry
Department, Heinrich-Heine-Universität
Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf D-40225, Germany
| | - Georg Mayer
- Department
of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University
of Kassel, Kassel D-34132, Germany
| | - Isabelle Marcotte
- Department
of Chemistry, Université du Québec
à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H2X 2J6, Canada
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5
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Baer A, Hoffmann I, Mahmoudi N, Poulhazan A, Harrington MJ, Mayer G, Schmidt S, Schneck E. The Internal Structure of the Velvet Worm Projectile Slime: A Small-Angle Scattering Study. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2300516. [PMID: 36828797 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202300516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
For prey capture and defense, velvet worms eject an adhesive slime which has been established as a model system for recyclable complex liquids. Triggered by mechanical agitation, the liquid bio-adhesive rapidly transitions into solid fibers. In order to understand this mechanoresponsive behavior, here, the nanostructural organization of slime components are studied using small-angle scattering with neutrons and X-rays. The scattering intensities are successfully described with a three-component model accounting for proteins of two dominant molecular weight fractions and nanoscale globules. In contrast to the previous assumption that high molecular weight proteins-the presumed building blocks of the fiber core-are contained in the nanoglobules, it is found that the majority of slime proteins exist freely in solution. Only less than 10% of the slime proteins are contained in the nanoglobules, necessitating a reassessment of their function in fiber formation. Comparing scattering data of slime re-hydrated with light and heavy water reveals that the majority of lipids in slime are contained in the nanoglobules with homogeneous distribution. Vibrating mechanical impact under exclusion of air neither leads to formation of fibers nor alters the bulk structure of slime significantly, suggesting that interfacial phenomena and directional shearing are required for fiber formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Baer
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, D-34132, Kassel, Germany
| | - Ingo Hoffmann
- Spectroscopy Group, Institut Laue-Langevin, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Najet Mahmoudi
- Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Group, ISIS Neutron & Muon Source, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Alexandre Poulhazan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Quebec at Montreal, Montreal, QC, H2X 2J6, Canada
| | | | - Georg Mayer
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, D-34132, Kassel, Germany
| | - Stephan Schmidt
- Chemistry Department, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, D-40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Emanuel Schneck
- Physics Department, Technische Universität Darmstadt, D-64289, Darmstadt, Germany
- Biomaterials Department, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, D-14476, Potsdam, Germany
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6
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van der Sman R, van der Goot A. Hypotheses concerning structuring of extruded meat analogs. Curr Res Food Sci 2023; 6:100510. [PMID: 37275388 PMCID: PMC10236473 DOI: 10.1016/j.crfs.2023.100510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we review the physicochemical phenomena occurring during the structuring processes in the manufacturing of plant-based meat analogs via high-moisture-extrusion (HME). After the initial discussion on the input materials, we discuss the hypotheses behind the physics of the functional tasks that can be defined for HME. For these hypotheses, we have taken a broader view than only the scientific literature on plant-based meat analogs but incorporated also literature from soft matter physics and patent literature. Many of these hypotheses remain to be proven. Hence, we hope that this overview will inspire researchers to fill the still-open knowledge gaps concerning the multiscale structure of meat analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- R.G.M. van der Sman
- Wageningen Food Biobased Research, the Netherlands
- Food Process Engineering, Wageningen University, the Netherlands
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7
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Zhang C, Liu X, Gong J, Zhao Q. Liquid sculpture and curing of bio-inspired polyelectrolyte aqueous two-phase systems. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2456. [PMID: 37117170 PMCID: PMC10147642 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38236-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) provide imperative interfaces and compartments in biology, but the sculpture and conversion of liquid structures to functional solids is challenging. Here, inspired by phase evolution of mussel foot proteins ATPS, we tackle this problem by designing poly(ionic liquids) capable of responsive condensation and phase-dependent curing. When mixed with poly(dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride), the poly(ionic liquids) formed liquid condensates and ATPS, which were tuned into bicontinuous liquid phases under stirring. Selective, rapid curing of the poly(ionic liquids)-rich phase was facilitated under basic conditions (pH 11), leading to the liquid-to-gel conversion and structure sculpture, i.e., the evolution from ATPS to macroporous sponges featuring bead-and-string networks. This mechanism enabled the selective embedment of carbon nanotubes in the poly(ionic liquids)-rich phase, which showed exceptional stability in harsh conditions (10 wt% NaCl, 80 oC, 3 days) and high (2.5 kg/m2h) solar thermal desalination of concentrated salty water under 1-sun irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongrui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Xufei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Jiang Gong
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage (Ministry of Education), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China.
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8
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Miserez A, Yu J, Mohammadi P. Protein-Based Biological Materials: Molecular Design and Artificial Production. Chem Rev 2023; 123:2049-2111. [PMID: 36692900 PMCID: PMC9999432 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Polymeric materials produced from fossil fuels have been intimately linked to the development of industrial activities in the 20th century and, consequently, to the transformation of our way of living. While this has brought many benefits, the fabrication and disposal of these materials is bringing enormous sustainable challenges. Thus, materials that are produced in a more sustainable fashion and whose degradation products are harmless to the environment are urgently needed. Natural biopolymers─which can compete with and sometimes surpass the performance of synthetic polymers─provide a great source of inspiration. They are made of natural chemicals, under benign environmental conditions, and their degradation products are harmless. Before these materials can be synthetically replicated, it is essential to elucidate their chemical design and biofabrication. For protein-based materials, this means obtaining the complete sequences of the proteinaceous building blocks, a task that historically took decades of research. Thus, we start this review with a historical perspective on early efforts to obtain the primary sequences of load-bearing proteins, followed by the latest developments in sequencing and proteomic technologies that have greatly accelerated sequencing of extracellular proteins. Next, four main classes of protein materials are presented, namely fibrous materials, bioelastomers exhibiting high reversible deformability, hard bulk materials, and biological adhesives. In each class, we focus on the design at the primary and secondary structure levels and discuss their interplays with the mechanical response. We finally discuss earlier and the latest research to artificially produce protein-based materials using biotechnology and synthetic biology, including current developments by start-up companies to scale-up the production of proteinaceous materials in an economically viable manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Miserez
- Center
for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and
Engineering, Nanyang Technological University
(NTU), Singapore637553
- School
of Biological Sciences, NTU, Singapore637551
| | - Jing Yu
- Center
for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and
Engineering, Nanyang Technological University
(NTU), Singapore637553
- Institute
for Digital Molecular Analytics and Science (IDMxS), NTU, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore637553
| | - Pezhman Mohammadi
- VTT
Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., Espoo, UusimaaFI-02044, Finland
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9
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Rising A, Harrington MJ. Biological Materials Processing: Time-Tested Tricks for Sustainable Fiber Fabrication. Chem Rev 2023; 123:2155-2199. [PMID: 36508546 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
There is an urgent need to improve the sustainability of the materials we produce and use. Here, we explore what humans can learn from nature about how to sustainably fabricate polymeric fibers with excellent material properties by reviewing the physical and chemical aspects of materials processing distilled from diverse model systems, including spider silk, mussel byssus, velvet worm slime, hagfish slime, and mistletoe viscin. We identify common and divergent strategies, highlighting the potential for bioinspired design and technology transfer. Despite the diversity of the biopolymeric fibers surveyed, we identify several common strategies across multiple systems, including: (1) use of stimuli-responsive biomolecular building blocks, (2) use of concentrated fluid precursor phases (e.g., coacervates and liquid crystals) stored under controlled chemical conditions, and (3) use of chemical (pH, salt concentration, redox chemistry) and physical (mechanical shear, extensional flow) stimuli to trigger the transition from fluid precursor to solid material. Importantly, because these materials largely form and function outside of the body of the organisms, these principles can more easily be transferred for bioinspired design in synthetic systems. We end the review by discussing ongoing efforts and challenges to mimic biological model systems, with a particular focus on artificial spider silks and mussel-inspired materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Rising
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge 141 52, Sweden.,Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala 750 07, Sweden
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10
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Corrales-Ureña YR, Schwab F, Ochoa-Martínez E, Benavides-Acevedo M, Vega-Baudrit J, Pereira R, Rischka K, Noeske PLM, Gogos A, Vanhecke D, Rothen-Rutishauser B, Petri-Fink A. Encapsulated salts in velvet worm slime drive its hardening. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19261. [PMID: 36357497 PMCID: PMC9649676 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23523-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Slime expelled by velvet worms entraps prey insects within seconds in a hardened biopolymer network that matches the mechanical strength of industrial polymers. While the mechanic stimuli-responsive nature and building blocks of the polymerization are known, it is still unclear how the velvet worms' slime hardens so fast. Here, we investigated the slime for the first time, not only after, but also before expulsion. Further, we investigated the slime's micro- and nanostructures in-depth. Besides the previously reported protein nanoglobules, carbohydrates, and lipids, we discovered abundant encapsulated phosphate and carbonate salts. We also detected CO2 bubbles during the hardening of the slime. These findings, along with further observations, suggest that the encapsulated salts in expelled slime rapidly dissolve and neutralize in a baking-powder-like reaction, which seems to accelerate the drying of the slime. The proteins' conformation and aggregation are thus influenced by shear stress and the salts' neutralization reaction, increasing the slime's pH and ionic strength. These insights into the drying process of the velvet worm's slime demonstrate how naturally evolved polymerizations can unwind in seconds, and could inspire new polymers that are stimuli-responsive or fast-drying under ambient conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yendry Regina Corrales-Ureña
- grid.8534.a0000 0004 0478 1713Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin Des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland ,grid.7704.40000 0001 2297 4381Faculty of Production Engineering, University of Bremen, Am Fallturm 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Fabienne Schwab
- grid.8534.a0000 0004 0478 1713Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin Des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Efraín Ochoa-Martínez
- grid.8534.a0000 0004 0478 1713Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin Des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Miguel Benavides-Acevedo
- National Laboratory of Nanotechnology LANOTEC - National Center of High Technology CeNAT, 1.3 Km North of the United States Embassy, San José, Costa Rica
| | - José Vega-Baudrit
- National Laboratory of Nanotechnology LANOTEC - National Center of High Technology CeNAT, 1.3 Km North of the United States Embassy, San José, Costa Rica ,grid.10729.3d0000 0001 2166 3813School of Chemistry, National University, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Reinaldo Pereira
- National Laboratory of Nanotechnology LANOTEC - National Center of High Technology CeNAT, 1.3 Km North of the United States Embassy, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Klaus Rischka
- grid.461617.30000 0004 0494 8413Adhesive Bonding Technology and Surfaces, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, Wiener Straße 12, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Paul-Ludwig Michael Noeske
- grid.461617.30000 0004 0494 8413Adhesive Bonding Technology and Surfaces, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, Wiener Straße 12, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Alexander Gogos
- grid.7354.50000 0001 2331 3059EMPA, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, CH-9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Dimitri Vanhecke
- grid.8534.a0000 0004 0478 1713Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin Des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Rothen-Rutishauser
- grid.8534.a0000 0004 0478 1713Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin Des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Alke Petri-Fink
- grid.8534.a0000 0004 0478 1713Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin Des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland ,grid.8534.a0000 0004 0478 1713Department of Chemistry, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 9, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
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11
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Lu Y, Sharma B, Soon WL, Shi X, Zhao T, Lim YT, Sobota RM, Hoon S, Pilloni G, Usadi A, Pervushin K, Miserez A. Complete Sequences of the Velvet Worm Slime Proteins Reveal that Slime Formation is Enabled by Disulfide Bonds and Intrinsically Disordered Regions. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2201444. [PMID: 35585665 PMCID: PMC9218773 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202201444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The slime of velvet worms (Onychophora) is a strong and fully biodegradable protein material, which upon ejection undergoes a fast liquid-to-solid transition to ensnare prey. However, the molecular mechanisms of slime self-assembly are still not well understood, notably because the primary structures of slime proteins are yet unknown. Combining transcriptomic and proteomic studies, the authors have obtained the complete primary sequences of slime proteins and identified key features for slime self-assembly. The high molecular weight slime proteins contain cysteine residues at the N- and C-termini that mediate the formation of multi-protein complexes via disulfide bonding. Low complexity domains in the N-termini are also identified and their propensity for liquid-liquid phase separation is established, which may play a central role in slime biofabrication. Using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, rigid and flexible domains of the slime proteins are mapped to specific peptide domains. The complete sequencing of major slime proteins is an important step toward sustainable fabrication of polymers inspired by the velvet worm slime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Lu
- Centre for Sustainable Materials (SusMat)School of Materials Science and EngineeringNanyang Technological University (NTU)Singapore639798Singapore
| | - Bhargy Sharma
- Centre for Sustainable Materials (SusMat)School of Materials Science and EngineeringNanyang Technological University (NTU)Singapore639798Singapore
| | - Wei Long Soon
- Centre for Sustainable Materials (SusMat)School of Materials Science and EngineeringNanyang Technological University (NTU)Singapore639798Singapore
| | - Xiangyan Shi
- Department of BiologyShenzhen MSU‐BIT UniversityNo. 1 International University Park Road, Longgang DistrictShenzhenGuangdong Province518172P. R. China
| | - Tianyun Zhao
- Functional Proteomics LaboratoryInstitute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB)Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*Star)ProteosSingapore138673Singapore
| | - Yan Ting Lim
- Functional Proteomics LaboratoryInstitute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB)Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*Star)ProteosSingapore138673Singapore
| | - Radoslaw M. Sobota
- Functional Proteomics LaboratoryInstitute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB)Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*Star)ProteosSingapore138673Singapore
| | - Shawn Hoon
- Molecular Engineering LabIMCBA*StarProteosSingapore138673Singapore
| | | | - Adam Usadi
- ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte LtdSingapore098633Singapore
| | - Konstantin Pervushin
- School of Biological ScienceNanyang Technological UniversitySingapore637551Singapore
| | - Ali Miserez
- Centre for Sustainable Materials (SusMat)School of Materials Science and EngineeringNanyang Technological University (NTU)Singapore639798Singapore
- School of Biological ScienceNanyang Technological UniversitySingapore637551Singapore
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12
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Zhang C, Cai Y, Zhao Q. Coacervation between two positively charged poly(ionic liquid)s. Macromol Rapid Commun 2022; 43:e2200191. [PMID: 35632991 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Complex coacervates are usually formed through electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, with a few of exceptions such as coacervates of like-charge proteins and polyelectrolytes, both in vivo and in vitro. Understanding of the preparation and mechanism of these coacervates is limited. Here we design a positively charged poly(ionic liquid) poly(1-vinyl-3-benzylimidazolium chloride) (PILben) that bears benzene rings in repeating units. Fluidic coacervates were prepared by mixing the PILben aqueous solution with a like-charge poly(ionic liquid) named poly(dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride) (PDDA). The effects of polymer concentration, temperature and ionic strength in the PILben-PDDA coacervate were studied. Raman spectroscopy and two-dimensional 1 H-13 C heteronuclear single quantum coherence (1 H-13 C HSQC) characterizations verify that the coacervate formation benefits from the cation-π interaction between PILben and PDDA. This work provides principles and understandings of designing coacervates derived from like-charge poly(ionic liquids) with high charge density. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongrui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yinmin Cai
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
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13
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Neitzel A, Fang YN, Yu B, Rumyantsev AM, de Pablo JJ, Tirrell MV. Polyelectrolyte Complex Coacervation across a Broad Range of Charge Densities. Macromolecules 2021; 54:6878-6890. [PMID: 34334816 PMCID: PMC8320234 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c00703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Polyelectrolyte complex coacervates of homologous (co)polyelectrolytes with a near-ideally random distribution of a charged and neutral ethylene oxide comonomer were synthesized. The unique platform provided by these building blocks enabled an investigation of the phase behavior across charge fractions 0.10 ≤ f ≤ 1.0. Experimental phase diagrams for f = 0.30-1.0 were obtained from thermogravimetric analysis of complex and supernatant phases and contrasted with molecular dynamics simulations and theoretical scaling laws. At intermediate to high f, a dependence of polymer weight fraction in the salt-free coacervate phase (w P,c) of w P,c ∼ f 0.37±0.01 was extracted; this trend was in good agreement with accompanying simulation predictions. Below f = 0.50, w P,c was found to decrease more dramatically, qualitatively in line with theory and simulations predicting an exponent of 2/3 at f ≤ 0.25. Preferential salt partitioning to either coacervate or supernatant was found to be dictated by the chemistry of the constituent (co)polyelectrolytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelika
E. Neitzel
- Pritzker
School of Molecular Engineering, University
of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- Argonne
National Laboratory, Materials Science Division, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Yan N. Fang
- Pritzker
School of Molecular Engineering, University
of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Boyuan Yu
- Pritzker
School of Molecular Engineering, University
of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Artem M. Rumyantsev
- Pritzker
School of Molecular Engineering, University
of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Juan J. de Pablo
- Pritzker
School of Molecular Engineering, University
of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- Argonne
National Laboratory, Materials Science Division, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Matthew V. Tirrell
- Pritzker
School of Molecular Engineering, University
of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- Argonne
National Laboratory, Materials Science Division, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
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14
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Lim J, Kumar A, Low K, Verma CS, Mu Y, Miserez A, Pervushin K. Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation of Short Histidine- and Tyrosine-Rich Peptides: Sequence Specificity and Molecular Topology. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:6776-6790. [PMID: 34106723 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c11476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The increasing realization of the prevalence of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) across multiple length scales of biological constructs, from intracellular membraneless organelles to extracellular load-bearing tissues, has raised intriguing questions about intermolecular interactions regulating LLPS at the atomic level. Squid-beak derived histidine (His)- and tyrosine (Tyr)-rich peptides (HBpeps) have recently emerged as suitable short model peptides to precisely assess the roles of peptide motifs and single residues on the phase behavior and material properties of microdroplets obtained by LLPS. In this study, by systematically introducing single mutations in an HBpep, we have identified specific sticker residues that attract peptide chains together. We find that His and Tyr residues located near the sequence termini drive phase separation, forming interaction nodes that stabilize microdroplets. Combining quantum chemistry simulations with NMR studies, we predict atomic-level bond geometries and uncover inter-residue supramolecular interactions governing LLPS. These results are subsequently used to propose possible topological arrangements of the peptide chains, which upon expansion can help explain the three-dimensional network of microdroplets. The stability of the proposed topologies carried out through all-atom molecular dynamics simulations predicts chain topologies that are more likely to stabilize the microdroplets. Overall, this study provides useful guidelines for the de novo design of peptide coacervates with tunable phase behavior and material properties. In addition, the analysis of nanoscale topologies may pave the way to understand how client molecules can be trapped within microdroplets, with direct implications for the encapsulation and controlled release of therapeutics for drug delivery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Lim
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637 551
| | - Akshita Kumar
- Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory, Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, NTU, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 637 553.,Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, 07-01 Matrix, Singapore 138 671
| | - Kimberly Low
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637 551
| | - Chandra S Verma
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637 551.,Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, 07-01 Matrix, Singapore 138 671.,Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore (NUS), 16 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117 558
| | - Yuguang Mu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637 551
| | - Ali Miserez
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637 551.,Biological and Biomimetic Material Laboratory, Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, NTU, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 637 553
| | - Konstantin Pervushin
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637 551
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15
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Rühs PA, Bergfreund J, Bertsch P, Gstöhl SJ, Fischer P. Complex fluids in animal survival strategies. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:3022-3036. [PMID: 33729256 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00142f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Animals have evolved distinctive survival strategies in response to constant selective pressure. In this review, we highlight how animals exploit flow phenomena by manipulating their habitat (exogenous) or by secreting (endogenous) complex fluids. Ubiquitous endogenous complex fluids such as mucus demonstrate rheological versatility and are therefore involved in many animal behavioral traits ranging from sexual reproduction to protection against predators. Exogenous complex fluids such as sand can be used either for movement or for predation. In all cases, time-dependent rheological properties of complex fluids are decisive for the fate of the biological behavior and vice versa. To exploit these rheological properties, it is essential that the animal is able to sense the rheology of their surrounding complex fluids in a timely fashion. As timing is key in nature, such rheological materials often have clearly defined action windows matching the time frame of their direct biological behavior. As many rheological properties of these biological materials remain poorly studied, we demonstrate with this review that rheology and material science might provide an interesting quantitative approach to study these biological materials in particular in context towards ethology and bio-mimicking material design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick A Rühs
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, 218 Hearst Memorial Mining Building, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA
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16
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Zhou H, Simmons CS, Sarntinoranont M, Subhash G. Raman Spectroscopy Methods to Characterize the Mechanical Response of Soft Biomaterials. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:3485-3497. [PMID: 32833438 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c00818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Raman spectroscopy has been used extensively to characterize the influence of mechanical deformation on microstructure changes in biomaterials. While traditional piezo-spectroscopy has been successful in assessing internal stresses of hard biomaterials by tracking prominent peak shifts, peak shifts due to applied loads are near or below the resolution limit of the spectrometer for soft biomaterials with moduli in the kilo- to mega-Pascal range. In this Review, in addition to peak shifts, other spectral features (e.g., polarized intensity and intensity ratio) that provide quantitative assessments of microstructural orientation and secondary structure in soft biomaterials and their strain dependence are discussed. We provide specific examples for each method and classify sensitive Raman characteristic bands common across natural (e.g., soft tissue) and synthetic (e.g., polymeric scaffolds) soft biomaterials upon mechanical deformation. This Review can provide guidance for researchers aiming to analyze micromechanics of soft tissues and engineered tissue constructs by Raman spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhou
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Chelsey S Simmons
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Malisa Sarntinoranont
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Ghatu Subhash
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
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17
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Cerullo AR, Lai TY, Allam B, Baer A, Barnes WJP, Barrientos Z, Deheyn DD, Fudge DS, Gould J, Harrington MJ, Holford M, Hung CS, Jain G, Mayer G, Medina M, Monge-Nájera J, Napolitano T, Espinosa EP, Schmidt S, Thompson EM, Braunschweig AB. Comparative Animal Mucomics: Inspiration for Functional Materials from Ubiquitous and Understudied Biopolymers. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:5377-5398. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c00713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio R. Cerullo
- The PhD Program in Biochemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
- The Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 85 St. Nicholas Terrace, New York, New York 10031, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Tsoi Ying Lai
- The Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 85 St. Nicholas Terrace, New York, New York 10031, United States
| | - Bassem Allam
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-5000, United States
| | - Alexander Baer
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - W. Jon P. Barnes
- Centre for Cell Engineering, Joseph Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, U.K
| | - Zaidett Barrientos
- Laboratorio de Ecología Urbana, Universidad Estatal a Distancia, Mercedes de Montes de Oca, San José 474-2050, Costa Rica
| | - Dimitri D. Deheyn
- Marine Biology Research Division-0202, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, UCSD, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Douglas S. Fudge
- Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, 1 University Drive, Orange, California 92866, United States
| | - John Gould
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Matthew J. Harrington
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0B8, Canada
| | - Mandë Holford
- The PhD Program in Biochemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10065, United States
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, The American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York 10024, United States
- The PhD Program in Chemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
- The PhD Program in Biology, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
| | - Chia-Suei Hung
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Gaurav Jain
- Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, 1 University Drive, Orange, California 92866, United States
| | - Georg Mayer
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Mónica Medina
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, 208 Mueller Lab, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Julian Monge-Nájera
- Laboratorio de Ecología Urbana, Universidad Estatal a Distancia, Mercedes de Montes de Oca, San José 474-2050, Costa Rica
| | - Tanya Napolitano
- The PhD Program in Biochemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Emmanuelle Pales Espinosa
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-5000, United States
| | - Stephan Schmidt
- Institute of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Eric M. Thompson
- Sars Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, Thormøhlensgt. 55, 5020 Bergen, Norway
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, N-5006 Bergen, Norway
| | - Adam B. Braunschweig
- The PhD Program in Biochemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
- The Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 85 St. Nicholas Terrace, New York, New York 10031, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10065, United States
- The PhD Program in Chemistry, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
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18
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Narayanan A, Menefee JR, Liu Q, Dhinojwala A, Joy A. Lower Critical Solution Temperature-Driven Self-Coacervation of Nonionic Polyester Underwater Adhesives. ACS NANO 2020; 14:8359-8367. [PMID: 32538616 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c02396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
To enable attachment to underwater surfaces, aquatic fauna such as mussels and sandcastle worms utilize the advantages of coacervation to deliver concentrated protein-rich adhesive cocktails in an aqueous environment onto underwater surfaces. Recently, a mussel adhesive protein Mfp-3s, was shown to exhibit a coacervation-based adhesion mechanism. Current synthetic strategies to mimic Mfp-3s often involve complexation of oppositely charged polymers. Such complex coacervates are more sensitive to changes in pH and salt, thereby limiting their utility to narrow ranges of pH and ionic strength. In this study, by taking advantage of the lower critical solution temperature-driven coacervation, we have created mussel foot protein-inspired, tropoelastin-like, bioabsorbable, nonionic, self-coacervating polyesters for the delivery of photo-cross-linkable adhesives underwater and to overcome the challenges of adhesion in wet or underwater environments. We describe the rationale for their design and the underwater adhesive properties of these nonionic adhesives. Compared to previously reported coacervate adhesives, these "charge-free" polyesters coacervate in wide ranges of pH (3-12) and ionic strength (0-1 M NaCl) and rapidly (<300 s) adhere to substrates submerged underwater. The study introduces smart materials that mimic the self-coacervation and environmental stability of Mfp-3s and demonstrate the potential for biological adhesive applications where high water content, salts, and pH changes can be expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal Narayanan
- Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Joshua R Menefee
- Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Qianhui Liu
- Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Ali Dhinojwala
- Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Abraham Joy
- Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
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19
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Gao H, Huang C, Zhu Y, Ma X, Cao C. Facile synthesis of 3D silk fibroin scaffolds with tunable properties for regenerative medicine. JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE-POLYMER EDITION 2020; 31:1272-1286. [DOI: 10.1080/09205063.2020.1758876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Haiying Gao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications Institution, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Chenghui Huang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications Institution, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Youqi Zhu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications Institution, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xilan Ma
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications Institution, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Chuanbao Cao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Construction Tailorable Advanced Functional Materials and Green Applications Institution, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, P.R. China
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20
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Pandey N, Soto-Garcia LF, Liao J, Zimmern P, Nguyen KT, Hong Y. Mussel-inspired bioadhesives in healthcare: design parameters, current trends, and future perspectives. Biomater Sci 2020; 8:1240-1255. [PMID: 31984389 PMCID: PMC7056592 DOI: 10.1039/c9bm01848d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mussels are well-known for their extraordinary capacity to adhere onto different surfaces in various hydrophillic conditions. Their unique adhesion ability under water or in wet conditions has generated considerable interest towards developing mussel inspired polymeric systems that can mimic the chemical mechanisms used by mussels for their adhesive properties. Catechols like 3,4-dihydroxy phenylalanine (DOPA) and their biochemical interactions have been largely implicated in mussels' strong adhesion to various substrates and have been the centerpoint of research and development efforts towards creating superior tissue adhesives for surgical and tissue engineering applications. In this article, we review bioadhesion and adhesives from an engineering standpoint, specifically the requirements of a good tissue glue, the relevance that DOPA and other catechols have in tissue adhesion, current trends in mussel-inspired bioadhesives, strategies to develop mussel-inspired tissue glues, and perspectives for future development of these materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Pandey
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USA
| | - Luis F. Soto-Garcia
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USA
| | - Jun Liao
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USA
| | - Philippe Zimmern
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Kytai T. Nguyen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USA
| | - Yi Hong
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USA
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21
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Campbell RA, Dean MN. Adaptation and Evolution of Biological Materials. Integr Comp Biol 2019; 59:1629-1635. [DOI: 10.1093/icb/icz134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Research into biological materials often centers on the impressive material properties produced in Nature. In the process, however, this research often neglects the ecologies of the materials, the organismal contexts relating to how a biological material is actually used. In biology, materials are vital to organismal interactions with their environment and their physiology, and also provide records of their phylogenetic relationships and the selective pressures that drive biological novelties. With the papers in this symposium, we provide a view on cutting-edge work in biological materials science. The collected research delivers new perspectives on fundamental materials concepts, offering surprising insights into biological innovations and challenging the boundaries of materials’ characterization techniques. The topics, systems, and disciplines covered offer a glimpse into the wide range of contemporary biological materials work. They also demonstrate the need for progressive “whole organism thinking” when characterizing biological materials, and the importance of framing biological materials research in relevant, biological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Campbell
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Mason N Dean
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department Biomaterials, Am Muehlenberg 1, Potsdam, Germany
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22
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Baer A, Schmidt S, Mayer G, Harrington MJ. Fibers on the Fly: Multiscale Mechanisms of Fiber Formation in the Capture Slime of Velvet Worms. Integr Comp Biol 2019; 59:1690-1699. [DOI: 10.1093/icb/icz048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Many organisms have evolved a capacity to form biopolymeric fibers outside their bodies for functions such as defense, prey capture, attachment, and protection. In particular, the adhesive capture slime of onychophorans (velvet worms) is remarkable for its ability to rapidly form stiff fibers through mechanical drawing. Notably, fibers that are formed ex vivo from extracted slime can be dissolved in water and new fibers can be drawn from the solution, indicating that fiber formation is encoded in the biomolecules that comprise the slime. This review highlights recent findings on the biochemical and physicochemical principles guiding this circular process in the Australian onychophoran Euperipatoides rowelli. A multiscale cross-disciplinary approach utilizing techniques from biology, biochemistry, physical chemistry, and materials science has revealed that the slime is a concentrated emulsion of nanodroplets comprised primarily of proteins, stabilized via electrostatic interactions, possibly in a coacervate phase. Upon mechanical agitation, droplets coalesce, leading to spontaneous self-assembly and fibrillation of proteins—a completely reversible process. Recent investigations highlight the importance of subtle transitions in protein structure and charge balance. These findings have clear relevance for better understanding this adaptive prey capture behavior and providing inspiration toward sustainable polymer processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Baer
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40, Kassel, Germany
| | - Stephan Schmidt
- Institute of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Georg Mayer
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40, Kassel, Germany
| | - Matthew J Harrington
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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