The tunable mechanical and structural properties of protein-based hydrogels make them excellent scaffolds for tissue engineering and repair. Moreover, using protein-based components provides the option to insert sequences associated with promoting both cellular adhesion to the substrate and overall cell growth. Protein-based hydrogel components are appealing for their structural designability, specific biological functionality, and stimuli-responsiveness. Here we present highlights in the field of protein-based hydrogels for tissue engineering applications including design requirements, components, and gel types.
Keywords: Biocompatibility; Hydrogels; Mechanical properties; Protein engineering; Protein materials; Self-assembly; Smart biomaterials; Stimuli-responsive materials; Tissue engineering.