Toward Clickable Protein Networks: Orthogonal Amidation of Self-Assembled Lysozyme and Bovine Serum Albumin Nanofibers

“Even the tiniest step in advancing science is worth all the effort.” – Lenka

Hot Off the Press

Our full study—“Toward Clickable Protein Networks”—has been accepted by ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. Read the manuscript here.

Significance of the Study

🔬 How to create biobased hydrogels using click chemistry?

One of the innovative directions explored by postdoc Lenka Vítková from #QueensU involves the development of biobased hydrogels formed by clicking protein molecules together — without the need for heat or solvents. This approach offers an environmentally friendly route to creating functional materials for biomedical and industrial applications.

➡️ What are we dealing with?

Traditional hydrogel fabrication often involves energy-intensive steps and synthetic chemicals. Lenka’s research demonstrates a greener alternative using click chemistry to connect protein components into stable hydrogel networks, enabling:

• solvent-free and energy-efficient production,

• use of renewable protein building blocks,

• tunable mechanical and bioactive properties.

🧪 Specific output?

The study introduces mild, modular methods to produce protein-based hydrogels, opening the door to scalable, sustainable production of materials that are:

• biodegradable,

• biocompatible,

• structurally versatile for a range of applications.

💡 Application:

🔹 Biomedical scaffolds

🔹 Greener packaging materials

🔹 Soft tissue engineering

🔹 Smart biomaterials

🔹 Climate-friendly manufacturing

👥 Thanks to the synergy between protein engineering, green chemistry, and materials science, this work paves the way for next-generation sustainable materials.

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