Structural proteins often in the form of micro and nanofibers, constituting most of intra- and extracellular matrix (ECM), are the fundamental building blocks of life [1]. Recent efforts to replace diseased or damaged tissues and organs have resulted in the molecular design and genetic engineering of recombinant proteins, and the advent of new technology for fabricating structural proteins into micro-/nanofibrous scaffolds, hoping to resemble some or all the characteristics of ECM structure and function. The fabrication of such an ECM mimic may be an important step in engineering a functional tissue. To this end, we have produced a series of silk-elastin-like proteins (SELPs) [2]. Revealed by our subsequent studies, SELPs in the form of hydrogels, thin films, and microfibers, have displayed a set of outstanding biological and physical properties. In this study, electrospinning will be pursued as a mechanism for the formation of SELP nanofibers.

This content is only available via PDF.
You do not currently have access to this content.