Open AccessMultiphoton fabrication of chemically responsive protein hydrogels for microactuation
Author(s) -
Bryan Kaehr,
Jason B. Shear
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.0709571105
Subject(s) - fabrication , self healing hydrogels , micrometer , nanotechnology , materials science , biophysics , volume (thermodynamics) , chemistry , optics , polymer chemistry , biology , physics , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology , quantum mechanics
We report a method for creating stimuli-responsive biomaterials in which scanning nonlinear excitation is used to photocrosslink proteins at submicrometer 3D coordinates. Proteins with differing hydration properties can be combined to achieve tunable volume changes that are rapid and reversible in response to changes in chemical environment. Protein matrices having arbitrary 3D topographies and definable density gradients over micrometer dimensions provide the ability to effect rapid (<1 sec) and precise mechanical manipulations by means of changes in hydrogel size and shape, and applicability of these materials to cell biology is shown through the fabrication of responsive bacterial cages.