Mathematically Modelling of the Mechanical Response of GFP Inside Protein Hydrogels
Mentor 1
Ionel Popa
Location
Union Wisconsin Room
Start Date
5-4-2019 1:30 PM
End Date
5-4-2019 3:30 PM
Description
Here we report a mathematical model to study mechanical response of protein hydrogels made from single domain Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP). Protein hydrogels are a new type of biomaterial made from purified proteins which are covalently cross-linked. These materials retain the unique properties of proteins, such as elastic response and fluorescence. The first step of our model is to produce single domain based hydrogels using random diffusion of molecules and accounting for the aggregate size. Once the hydrogel network is formed, we apply various force protocols and model the unfolding of GFP based on the tethering points. This model gives a faster way to predict the mechanical response of protein hydrogels made from single domain proteins as a function of various cross-linking parameters and provides the ability to test various polymerization parameters and reduce the number of trials when aiming to produce hydrogels with specific elasticity. Understanding the mechanical properties of protein hydrogels at the molecular level through computational work and computer simulations could likely lead to a greater understanding of the mechano-chemistry of protein-based hydrogels, which may lead to new applications for cartilage replacement, tissue engineering, and controlled release of drugs and therapeutics.
Mathematically Modelling of the Mechanical Response of GFP Inside Protein Hydrogels
Union Wisconsin Room
Here we report a mathematical model to study mechanical response of protein hydrogels made from single domain Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP). Protein hydrogels are a new type of biomaterial made from purified proteins which are covalently cross-linked. These materials retain the unique properties of proteins, such as elastic response and fluorescence. The first step of our model is to produce single domain based hydrogels using random diffusion of molecules and accounting for the aggregate size. Once the hydrogel network is formed, we apply various force protocols and model the unfolding of GFP based on the tethering points. This model gives a faster way to predict the mechanical response of protein hydrogels made from single domain proteins as a function of various cross-linking parameters and provides the ability to test various polymerization parameters and reduce the number of trials when aiming to produce hydrogels with specific elasticity. Understanding the mechanical properties of protein hydrogels at the molecular level through computational work and computer simulations could likely lead to a greater understanding of the mechano-chemistry of protein-based hydrogels, which may lead to new applications for cartilage replacement, tissue engineering, and controlled release of drugs and therapeutics.
