Reversible non-stick behaviour of a bacterial protein polymer provides a tuneable molecular mimic for cell and tissue engineering

Abstract

Yersina pestis, the bubonic plague bacterium, is coated with a polymeric protein hydrogel for protection from host defences. The protein, which is robust and non-stick, resembles structures found in many eukaryotic extracellular-matrix proteins. Cells grown on the natural polymer cannot adhere and grow poorly; however, when cell-adhesion motifs are inserted into the protein, the cells proliferate. © The Authors, 2014. Published by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.