Protein-based biomaterials

Genetic engineering, or recombinant DNA technology [12], is being employed to produce protein-based biomaterials. First, a gene encoding the... 

Finally, transgenic systems may permit the commercialization of functionalized, consistent quality, low-cost, protein-based biomaterials resulting in improved biocompatibility, accessibihty, quahty and per-... 

Albumin. Albumin is the most abundant serum protein and, because of its abundance, is frequently considered in the design of protein-based biomaterials. 

Taken together, all of these characteristics have stimulated significant interest in the use of protein-based biomaterials for drug delivery, gene delivery, and other biomedical applications. The purpose of this chapter is to present the current state of the art in the use of biologically synthesized, protein-based polymers for biomedical applications, with an emphasis on drug and gene delivery. 

J.P. Stegemann, S.N. Kaszuba, S.L. Rowe, Review advances in vascular tissue engineering using protein-based biomaterials. Tissue Eng. 13 (2007) 2601-2613. 

Lee J, Macosko CW, Urry DW (2001) J Biomater Sci Polym Edn 12 229 Nicol A, Gowda DC, Parker TM, Urry DW (1993) J Biomed Mater Res 27 801 Urry DW (2003) Elastic protein-based biomaterials elements of basic science, controlled release and bio compatibility. In Wise DL, Hasirci V, Yaszemski MJ, Alto-belli DE, Lewandrowski KU, Trantolo DJ (eds) Biomaterials handbook-advanced applications of basic sciences and bioengineering. Marcel Dekker, New York Meyer DE, Kong GA, Dewhirst MW, Zalutsky MR, Chilkoti A (2001) Cancer Res 61 1548... 

D.W. Urry, T.C. Woods, L.C. Hayes, J. Xu, D.T. McPherson, M. Iwama, M. Furuta, T. Hayashi, M. Murata, and T. M. Parker, Elastic Protein-Based Biomaterials Elements of Basic Science, Controlled Release and Biocompatibility. In Tissue Engineering and Novel Delivery Systems, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, Chapter 2, pp. 31-54,2004. 

When seeking an optimal biomaterial, the preference is for complete absence of toxicity on placement in the host. With such a totally innocuous elastic protein-based biomaterial, biologically active sequences can be readily included within the polymer, and the host tissue can react to the biologically active sequence without being overwhelmed by unwanted reactions. Thus, because of the high level of biocompatibility, there exists the capacity to elicit diverse and desired tissue responses. 

Proteins are macromolecules made from amino acids as building blocks and are arranged in a three-dimensional folded strucmre. The basic structure of amino acids is given Fig. 1.15. As one of the most important classes of biomolecules and a major component of the natural tissues, proteins and other amino acid-derived polymers have been a preferred biomaterial for sutures, haemostatic agents, scaffolds for tissue engineering, and dmg dehvery vehicles. Furthermore, protein based biomaterials are known to undergo naturally controlled degradation processes (Meinel et al., 2005). 

GA is by far the most widely used agent, due to its efficiency to stabilize protein-based biomaterials and in spite of some local cytotoxicity and calcification of long-term implants (Khor, 1997) (Fig. 16.7). 

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