Developing Novel Protein-based Materials using Ultrabithorax: Production, Characterization, and Functionalization

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dc.contributor.advisorMatthews, Kathleen S.en_US
dc.contributor.advisorBondos, Sarah E.en_US
dc.creatorHuang, Zhaoen_US
dc.date.accessioned2013-03-08T00:34:34Zen_US
dc.date.available2013-03-08T00:34:34Zen_US
dc.date.issued2011en_US
dc.description.abstractCompared to 'conventional' materials made from metal, glass, or ceramics, protein-based materials have unique mechanical properties. Furthermore, the morphology, mechanical properties, and functionality of protein-based materials may be optimized via sequence engineering for use in a variety of applications, including textile materials, biosensors, and tissue engineering scaffolds. The development of recombinant DNA technology has enabled the production and engineering of protein-based materials ex vivo . However, harsh production conditions can compromise the mechanical properties of protein-based materials and diminish their ability to incorporate functional proteins. Developing a new generation of protein-based materials is crucial to (i) improve materials assembly conditions, (ii) create novel mechanical properties, and (iii) expand the capacity to carry functional protein/peptide sequences. This thesis describes development of novel protein-based materials using Ultrabithorax, a member of the Hox family of proteins that regulate developmental pathways in Drosophila melanogaster . The experiments presented (i) establish the conditions required for the assembly of Ubx-based materials, (ii) generate a wide range of Ubx morphologies, (iii) examine the mechanical properties of Ubx fibers, (iv) incorporate protein functions to Ubx-based materials via gene fusion, (v) pattern protein functions within the Ubx materials, and (vi) examine the biocompatibility of Ubx materials in vitro . Ubx-based materials assemble at mild conditions compatible with protein folding and activity, which enables Ubx chimeric materials to retain the function of appended proteins in spatial patterns determined by materials assembly. Ubx-based materials also display mechanical properties comparable to existing protein-based materials and demonstrate good biocompatibility with living cells in vitro . Taken together, this research demonstrates the unique features and future potential of novel Ubx-based materials.en_US
dc.format.extent179 p.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_US
dc.identifier.callnoTHESIS BIOCHEM. 2011 HUANGen_US
dc.identifier.citationHuang, Zhao. "Developing Novel Protein-based Materials using Ultrabithorax: Production, Characterization, and Functionalization." (2011) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/70269">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/70269</a>.en_US
dc.identifier.digitalHuangZen_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/70269en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.en_US
dc.subjectApplied sciencesen_US
dc.subjectPure sciencesen_US
dc.subjectBiological sciencesen_US
dc.subjectUltrabithoraxen_US
dc.subjectSpaital patterningen_US
dc.subjectSelf-assemblyen_US
dc.subjectBiomaterialsen_US
dc.subjectBiochemistryen_US
dc.subjectNanotechnologyen_US
dc.subjectBiophysicsen_US
dc.titleDeveloping Novel Protein-based Materials using Ultrabithorax: Production, Characterization, and Functionalizationen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.materialTexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentBiochemistry and Cell Biologyen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineNatural Sciencesen_US
thesis.degree.grantorRice Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen_US
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