Synthesis of bioactive protein hydrogels by genetically encoded SpyTag-SpyCatcher chemistry

Advances in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have created a need for new biomaterial scaffolds that facilitate cell encapsulation and transplantation. Here we present an approach to the synthesis of artificial protein scaffolds that form spontaneously under physiological conditions. These protein hydrogels may be designed to include cell-adhesion ligands, protease cleavage sites, and full-length globular proteins that carry the information needed to program the behavior of encapsulated cells. We demonstrate the approach by encapsulating mouse embryonic stem cells in a protein scaffold that includes leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF); the encapsulated cells remain pluripotent in the absence of added LIF. The results presented here illustrate a versatile strategy for the creation of information-rich biomaterials.