ERC Starting Grant · 2016
Molecular Mechanical Adhesives
Protein-based hydrogels are commonly used as adhesives and sealants in surgical settings. Fibrin gels, for example, are biocompatible, however their use is hampered by poor mechanical properties. Previous attempts to improve fibrin gel mechanics relied on interpenetrating networks in combination with PEO, collagen and other polymers, however, only modest improvements were observed. The important challenge lies in understanding how molecular design principles can influence gel mechanics on the macroscale. The goal of this research is to develop mechanically tunable protein hydrogels. Upon mixture of two liquid components, the systems I propose would spontaneously form a gel matrix consisting…
From the public funding record at EU CORDIS. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.