Abstract:
A method of producing a desired non-spidroin protein or polypeptide is comprising the steps of expressing in a suitable host a fusion protein, obtaining a mixture containing the fusion protein, and optionally isolating the fusion protein. The fusion protein is comprising at least one solubility-enhancing moiety which is derived from the N-terminal (NT) fragment of a spider silk protein. It is further comprising at least one moiety which is a desired non-spidroin protein or polypeptide. Each solubility-enhancing moiety is linked directly or indirectly to the desired protein or polypeptide moiety.
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing shaped polymers of surface-active macromolecules, in particular silk, is provided. The method is comprising the steps of: • a) depositing an aqueous solution of the surface-active macromolecules on a surface, wherein the aqueous solution of the surface-active macromolecules is deposited in the form of a droplet, and wherein the surface is a hydrophobic micropatterned surface adapted to prevent the aqueous solution from penetrating into the pattern and to receive the droplet of the aqueous solution of the surface-active macromolecules and retain its droplet state; and • b) forming shaped polymers of the surface-active macromolecules on the surface.
Abstract:
A protein structure capable of selective interaction with an organic target is provided. The protein structure is a polymer comprising as a repeating structural unit a recombinant fusion protein that is capable of selective interaction with the organic target. The fusion protein is comprising the moieties B, REP and CT, and optionally NT. B is a non-spidroin moiety of more than 30 amino acid residues, which provides the capacity of selective interaction with the organic target. REP is a moiety of from 70 to 300 amino acid residues and is derived from the repetitive fragment of a spider silk protein. CT is a moiety of from 70 to 120 amino acid residues and is derived from the C-terminal fragment of a spider silk protein. NT is an optional moiety of from 100 to 160 amino acid residues and is derived from the N-terminal fragment of a spider silk protein. The fusion protein and protein structure thereof is useful as an affinity medium and a cell scaffold material.
Abstract:
A cell scaffold material is manufactured by providing an aqueous solution of a silk protein capable of assembling into a water-insoluble macrostructure. The silk protein is mixed with eukaryotic cells, and the silk protein is assembled into a water-insoluble macrostructure in the presence of the cells, thereby forming a scaffold material for cultivating the cells. The cells can be grown integrated with the scaffold material under conditions suitable for cell culture.
Abstract:
A method for producing a protein polymer fiber, the method comprising providing a liquid protein solution in a container for liquid, and repeatedly moving the liquid surface in the container back and forth between a first and a second position. Said movement of the liquid surface is such that the protein polymer solution is allowed to form a film in the interface between the liquid surface of the liquid protein solution and a surrounding fluid. The movement of the liquid surface being performed by respectively raising and lowering the liquid surface relative to the container or by moving an object extending through the liquid surface of the liquid protein solution. Also, a device for performing said method.
Abstract:
A method for coating a solid surface with a recombinant spider silk protein capable of forming polymeric, solid structures is provided. The method is comprising the following steps: exposing the solid surface to an aqueous solution of the recombinant spider silk protein and thereby forming a surface layer of the recombinant spider silk protein adsorbed on the solid surface without formation of covalent bonds between the recombinant spider silk protein and the solid surface; and further exposing the surface layer of the solid surface to an aqueous solution of the recombinant spider silk protein and thereby forming an assembled silk structure layer of the recombinant spider silk protein on the surface layer; wherein the method does not include drying-in of spider silk protein.
Abstract:
A method and a combination for the cultivation of eukaryotic cells are provided, as well as a method for preparation of eukaryotic cells. The methods comprise providing a sample of eukaryotic cells to be cultured, applying said sample to a cell scaffold material; and maintaining said cell scaffold material having cells applied thereto under conditions suitable for cell culture. The combination comprises eukaryotic cells and a cell scaffold material. The cell scaffold material comprises a polymer of a spider silk protein.
Abstract:
The invention provides an isolated major ampullate spidroin protein, which consists of from 150 to 420 amino acid residues and is defined by the formula REP-CT. REP is a repetitive, N-terminally derived protein fragment having from 80 to 300 amino acid residues. CT is a C-terminally derived protein fragment having from 70 to 120 amino acid residues. The invention further provides an isolated fusion protein consisting of a first protein fragment, which is a major ampullate spidroin protein, and a second protein fragment comprising a fusion partner and a cleavage agent recognition site. The first protein fragment is coupled via said cleavage agent recognition site to the fusion partner. The invention also provides a method of producing a major ampullate spidroin protein and polymers thereof.