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Engineered collagen - a redox switchable framework for tunable assembly and fabrication of biocompatible surfaces

Engineered collagen - a redox switchable framework for tunable assembly and fabrication of biocompatible surfaces

Full Abstract: Collagen, processed into several morphologies and originating from various sources, has long since been used as a biocompatible material that can assist wound healing and tissue regeneration. With the advent of biotechnology and solidphase peptide synthesis, new possibilities arise to create rationally designed biomaterials based on collagen sequences incorporating new functionalities whilst maintaining the beneficial properties of natural collagen. In this study a new class of synthetic collagen materials is presented, defined by its simplistic core structure and its therefore predictable behavior. These socalled eCols (engineered collagens) consist of a varying number of GlyProPro repeats, a redoxswitchable aminoterminal nucleation site and an optional carboxyterminal cell adhesion motif. We show which of these proteins are able to selfassemble into triple helices and crosslinked gelatinous networks and provide insights into their cytocompatibility in vitro.