Introduction

MINIRES is an oligopeptide based on a recurring consensus sequence in resilin, a particular natural elastomeric protein, constituting the elastic structures in insects. The halogenation of at least one oligopeptide residue allows to replicate the elastic properties of the entire resilin, enhancing the spontaneous self-assembly of the peptide, without the need to chemical cross-linking.

Technical features

The patented peptide sequence derives from a consensus sequence of exon I (SDSYGAP) of the resilin protein,  that has been chemically modified to enhance its elastomeric behavior. The halogenation of at least one oligopeptide residue allows to replicate the elastic properties of the entire resilin, enhancing the spontaneous self-assembly of the peptide, without the need to chemical cross-linking. The presence of halogenated atoms does not affect the toxicity of the patented oligopeptides, even at high concentrations but produces these important effects: i) decreases the solubility of the peptide, facilitating the formation of the elastomeric structures; ii) amplifies the non-covalent interaction in the peptide self-assembly, which promotes the formation of less soluble superstructures, iii)  increases chemical stability, iv) allows further chemical modifications at the level of the halogenated functional groups

Possible Applications

• Cosmetic formulations;
• Biomedical applications for the production of supports for tissue engineering;
• Regenerative medicine for the creation of artificial tissues and vessels;
• Drug delivery;
• Advanced polymers (thermoplastics, biocomposites).

Advantages

• Easily synthesis and purification;
• Easily scalable and economical production.