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Creating Novel Bio-Adhesives using Genetically Programmed Protein Assembly

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We will use genetically programmed intein-mediated protein ligation to assemble specific protein modules from molluscs/bacterial biofilms into novel adhesive fibres and gels. This will be achieved by combining our exclusive/innovative recombinant fusion protein system and our knowledge on bacterial biofilm/mollusc adhesion proteins. Utilising the recombinant fusion protein system, we will be able to directionally self-assemble protein modules into the desired bio-adhesive. By combining fusions correctly, predictable arrays of adhesive fibres and gels will be formed with controllable properties/architectures. This technology offers a low-cost highly tuneable platform technology to produce novel adhesives.

Disciplines and Techniques
Project supervisor/s
Dr. Ewan Main
Ewan's research area is in biochemistry/molecular biophysics and in particular the folding, design and molecular interactions of proteins.
Queen Mary University of London
Dr. James Garnett
Jame's research is unravelling the molecular details of host-pathogen interactions; in particular the structure and function of bacterial biofilms, secretion systems and secreted proteins that promote infection.
King's College University
References
Scalable geometrically designed protein cages assembled via genetically encoded split Inteins
Wright, J.N., Wong, W.L., Harvey, J.A., Garnett, J.A., Itzhaki, L.S. & Main, E.R.G.
Structure 27, 776-84
2019
Programmed Protein Self-Assembly Driven by Genetically Encoded Intein-Mediated Native Chemical Ligation
Harvey, J., Itzhaki, L.S. & Main E.R.G.
ACS Synth Biol. 7 (4), 1067-1074
2018
Angewandte Chemie 2012, 51, 13132
Phillips, J. J.; Millership, C.; Main, E. R
Angewandte Chemie 51, 13132
2012
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012, 109, 3950
Garnett, J. A.; Martinez-Santos, V. I.; Saldana, Z.; Pape, T.; Hawthorne, W.; Chan, J.; Simpson, P. J.; Cota, E.; Puente, J. L.; Giron, J. A.; Matthews, S
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012, 109, 3950
2012
C. Biochem Soc Trans 2013, 41, 1152
Main, E. R.; Phillips, J. J.; Millership
C. Biochem Soc Trans 41, 1152
2013