Stimulus responsive elastin biopolymers: Applications in medicine and biotechnology.

Journal Article (Review;Journal Article)

Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are artificial polypeptides, derived from Val-Pro-Gly-Xaa-Gly (VPGXG) pentapeptide repeats found in human tropoelastin, that reversibly coacervate above a critical temperature. Genetically encodable ELPs are monodisperse, stimuli responsive, and biocompatible, properties that make them attractive for drug delivery and tissue engineering. The potential of ELPs to self-assemble into nanostructures in response to environmental triggers is another interesting feature of these polypeptides that promises to lead to a host of new applications.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Chilkoti, A; Christensen, T; MacKay, JA

Published Date

  • December 2006

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 10 / 6

Start / End Page

  • 652 - 657

PubMed ID

  • 17055770

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC3732176

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1879-0402

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1367-5931

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.cbpa.2006.10.010

Language

  • eng