Novel Sustainable Polymers and Hydrogels Made from Designer Proteins and Plant Proteins

When and Where

Nov 29, 2023
2:00pm - 2:30pm

Hynes, Level 2, Room 206

Presenter

Naba Dutta

Rajkamal Balu

Namita Choudhury

Co-Author(s)

Naba Dutta¹,Rajkamal Balu¹,Namita Choudhury¹

RMIT University¹

Abstract

Naba Dutta¹,Rajkamal Balu¹,Namita Choudhury¹

RMIT University¹

Polymer materials have transformed modern life and are utilised in every sector, including the commercial, industrial, medical, and retail ones. However, mostly they are non-biodegradable and derived from non-renewable resources. These durable materials are left in landfill as trash can linger for decades and are a pollutant of increasing concern. For example, from the air we breathe to the food we consume, microplastic particles can be found everywhere in the environment. Green polymers, which are produced using ecologically benign methods and are either biodegradable or meet particular criteria for managed treatment at the end of life, have been driven by this concern [1]. Green polymers can be divided from: (i) biomass, which includes polysaccharides, starches, cellulose, lignin, and proteins; (ii) microorganisms, like polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) (iii) monomers derived from renewable resources but polymerised using traditional synthesis, like polylactic acid (PLA), as well as, (iv) monomers produced from fossil fuels, however, are biodegradable, e.g., poly (-caprolactone) (PCL) [2]. In this talk, I will cover our latest work on genetically engineered biomimetic protein-polymers [3,4] and plant-protein-based polymers [5-7] that are derived from renewable resources, biodegradable, multifunctional and adaptable. The unusually responsive resilin-mimetic protein polymer (RMPs), their unique molecular architecture, responsiveness, highly resilient hydrogel formation characteristics, and dynamics of their structural ensembles [8–14] will be discussed. An attempt will also be made to elucidate the molecular origin of their unusual adaptability and functional possibilities. Native resilin is a member of the family of elastic proteins that includes elastin, gluten, gliadin, and spider silks and is purported to be the most resilient elastic material known with resilience >97%. We will also demonstrate that plant-derived biopolymers and proteins and their functionalized product have the potential to offer a new platform for the development of sustainable, eco-friendly and biodegradable super absorbent polymers for many applications including hygiene products. Overall, the research has revealed the potential of biomimicry along with the genetic engineering approach to biomaterials design offer powerful strategies to overcome challenges and provide new opportunities in the design and rapid development of novel functional polymers. Acknowledgement: Plat protein work presented here was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through the Grand Challenges Explorations (GCE) Round-25 for the Project, INV-031382. References 1. A. A. Koelmans et al., Nature Reviews Materials 2022, 7, 138–152. 2. L. Averous, J. Macromol. Sci.- Polym. Rev, 2004, 44, 231. 3. R. Balu, N. K. Dutta, A. K. Dutta, N. Roy Choudhury, Nature Communication 2021, 12, 149. 4. R. Balu, N. Wanasingha, J.P. Mata, A. Rekas, S. Barrett, G. Dumsday, A. W Thornton, A. J. Hill, N. Roy Choudhury, N. K Dutta, Science Advances 2022, 8 (51), eabq2202. 5. P. Dorishetty, R. Balu, A. Gelmi, J.P. Mata, A. Quigley, N.K. Dutta, Materials Today Advances 2022, 14, 100233. 6. P. Dorishetty, R. Balu, A. Gelmi, J.P. Mata, N. K. Dutta, N. Roy Choudhury, Biomacromolecules 2021, 22, 3668. 7. P. Dorishetty, R. Balu, A Sreekumar, L de Campo, J.P. Mata, N.R. Choudhury,N. Dutta, ACS Sus. Chem. Eng. 2019, 7, 9257. 9. N. K. Dutta, M.Y. Truong, N. Choudhury, et al. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 4428. 10. R. Balu, N. Choudhury, N. K. Dutta, et al. Sci. Reports, 2015, 5, srep10896. 11. R.Balu Mata, J. P. Knott, R. Dutta N. K. et al. J. Phys. Chem. B , 2016, 120, 6490. 12. M. Y. Truong, N. Roy Choudhury, N. K. Dutta, et al. Biomaterials 2010, 31, 4434. 13. M. Y. Truong, N. K. Dutta, et al., Biomaterials 2011, 32, 2786. 14. R Balu, NK Dutta, N. R Choudhury, CM Elvin, RE Lyons, R Knott, AJ Hill, Acta Biomaterialia 2014,10, 4768.