Luciana d'Amone1,Giusy Matzeu1,Alfredo Quijano-Rubio2,Gregory Callahan1,Fiorenzo Omenetto1,David Baker2
Tufts University1,University of Washington2
Luciana d'Amone1,Giusy Matzeu1,Alfredo Quijano-Rubio2,Gregory Callahan1,Fiorenzo Omenetto1,David Baker2
Tufts University1,University of Washington2
De novo designed protein switches are powerful tools for specifically and sensitively detecting diverse targets with simple chemiluminescent readouts.<sup>1,2</sup> Integrating these protein switches in a variety of sensing formats and wearables could expand their applications for monitoring exposure to pathogens and toxins and for disease diagnosis. In this work, we present a bio-responsive materials platform based on a confluence of biomaterials and de novo designed proteins. Such hybrid biomaterial/protein composites consisting of regenerated silk fibroin and de novo protein constructs can be reshaped in nearly endless bioresponsive material formats that can be used for a multitude of universal sensing interfaces that can operate in multiple environments and with broad utility. A set of functional demonstrator devices including personal protective equipment such as masks and laboratory gloves, free-standing films, air quality monitors, and wearable devices is presented to illustrate the versatility of the approach. Such formats are designed to be responsive to toxins, viruses, and cancer biomarkers. The combination of material form, afforded by the silk fibroin<sup>3</sup>, and biochemical function, derived from the protein system, offers opportunities for ubiquitous sensing of toxins, pathogens, contaminants, and biochemical cues in multiple environments enabling a large class of bio-responsive interfaces for everyday use even when targeting hard-to-detect variables.<br/><br/>1 Langan, R. A.<i> et al.</i> De novo design of bioactive protein switches. <i>Nature</i> <b>572</b>, 205-210, doi:10.1038/s41586-019-1432-8 (2019).<br/>2 Quijano-Rubio, A.<i> et al.</i> De novo design of modular and tunable protein biosensors. <i>Nature</i> <b>591</b>, 482-487, doi:10.1038/s41586-021-03258-z (2021).<br/>3 Tao, H.<i> et al.</i> Inkjet Printing of Regenerated Silk Fibroin: From Printable Forms to Printable Functions. <i>Adv Mater</i> <b>27</b>, 4273-4279, doi:10.1002/adma.201501425 (2015).