Breaking the mold
Reimagining protein extraction from E. coli inclusion bodies for a thermoplastic squid protein
Many everyday products rely on fossil-based plastics, which contribute to climate change and long-lasting pollution. Our project explores a new way to create sustainable materials inspired by natural proteins. These proteins, made by living cells, are renewable, biodegradable, and have remarkable properties such as strength, flexibility, and self-repair.
We will investigate how to produce such proteins more efficiently and test their potential in future applications ranging from medical devices to environmentally friendly consumer products. If successful, this research could open the door to a new generation of sustainable, high-performance materials.