Smart biomaterials from protein-based composite nanofibres: Cell interaction with 3D-nanofibrous biopolymer scaffolds – a focus on mechanics

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Dorothea Brüggemann
• Subject Area: Biomaterials ; Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics
• Term: from 2015 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 267326782

The multi-level hierarchical structure of natural protein composites accounts for the manifold highly specialised functions they have to fulfil within a living organism. As synthetic protein-based composites strongly resemble the natural extracellular matrix, which surrounds all living cells, they are intrinsically biocompatible and offer well-controllable cell reactions. These features can be exploited in the development of the next generation of high performance synthetic biomaterials, for instance in tissue engineering or drug delivery applications.The objective of the proposed project is to design a new class of multifunctional biomaterials from protein-based composite nanofibres. Using a simple, one-step extrusion approach with nanoporous membranes, we will prepare nanofibrous protein composites under physiological conditions with different hierarchical levels. This efficient method will allow us to create novel types of protein composites with different organic, inorganic and synthetic components in the nanofibres, which can mimic the properties of the natural cellular environment more closely than existing biomaterials. On the way towards this aim we will explore how we can adjust the composition and dimension of such novel protein composites on the nanoscale. We will also study how the hierarchical fibre assembly and the resulting composite functions can be controlled on a microscopic level. Hereby, an important aspect will be the biological functionality of the various composites, which will be examined on a molecular and cellular level. Furthermore, we will explore how the extrusion process can be expanded to facilitate the preparation of macroscopic biomaterials for use as tissue engineering scaffolds or drug carriers.The results of this project will help to develop novel smart biomaterials from protein composite nanofibres with precisely controllable multifunctionality, biological activity and stimuli responsiveness.

• DFG Programme: Independent Junior Research Groups