α-Helical Protein Based Materials and Methods for Making Same

Authors

John M. Gosline, University of British Columbia
Douglas S. Fudge, Chapman UniversityFollow
Paul Guerrette, University of British Columbia

Document Type

Patent

Publication Date

2006

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of producing useful materials from filament-forming α-helical proteins or filaments made of such proteins. The method comprises allowing filament-forming α-helical proteins to self-assemble into α-helix containing filaments and forming fibres, films or bulk materials from the filaments. The materials are stretched to strain the filaments so that the α-helices substantially irreversibly change to β-sheet forms. The filament-forming α-helical proteins can comprise intermediate filament proteins. In a specific embodiment, the filament-forming proteins comprise hagfish slime thread IF proteins.

Comments

Patent No. U.S. 7,049,405 B2

Recommended Citation

Gosline JM, Fudge DS, and Guerette P (2006) α-helical protein based materials and methods for making same. Patent No. U.S. 7,049,405 B2.