Genetically engineered protein in hydrogels tailors stimuli-responsive characteristics

A hybrid material that integrates genetically engineered proteins within hydrogels capable of producing a stimulus-responsive action mechanism was analyzed. Parametric studies were undertaken to understand the relationship between the extent of responsive swelling and the amounts of crosslinker and protein used to prepare the hydrogel. The stimuli-responsive hydrogel exhibited three specific swelling stages in response to various ligands offering additional fine-tuned control over a conventional two-stage swelling hydrogel. The prepared material was used in the sensing, and subsequent gating and transport of biomolecules across a polymer network, demonstrating its potential application in microfluidics and miniaturized drug-delivery systems.