Biopolymer Science for Proteins and Peptides

Biopolymer Science for Proteins and Peptides introduces all aspects of natural polymers based on structural proteins and peptides, presenting synthesis, structure, properties, proteins, materials design, and applications. The book begins by presenting the core concepts of polypeptide and protein materials, before discussing synthesis and structure in detail. The next part of the book describes physical properties, biological properties, and issues surrounding stability. Subsequent chapters offer in-depth coverage of both natural and structural protein sources, including collagen, silk, elastin, resilin, keratin, foot protein, and reflectin, and the materials that can be designed from them, such as films, fibers, textiles, microparticles, sponges and scaffolds, nanomaterials, blends, and composites. These materials are also analyzed against the available synthetic polymers. Finally, the text explores current applications and potential future developments. This is an essential resource for researchers and advanced students across a range of disciplines, including biopolymers, structural proteins, polymer science, materials science, biomaterials, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, engineering, and pharmaceutical science. In an industry setting, this is of great interest to scientists and R&D professionals working in industries with an interest in bio-based polymers for advanced applications. - Explains how biopolymers from structural proteins and peptides can be developed into materials, such as films, fibers, textiles, microparticles, sponges and scaffolds, nanomaterials, blends, and polymer composites - Provides the reader a solid understanding of the structure, synthesis, and properties - Guides the reader from sources, including collagen, silk, elastin, resilin, keratin, and reflectin, to material design and cutting-edge applications

Keiji Numata is currently Full Professor in the Department of Material Chemistry, Kyoto University, and Team Leader at the Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Japan. He is also Research Director for JST-ERATO Numata Organellar Reaction Cluster Project and leads the Precision Polymer Degradation, Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Area, in Japan. He investigates biosynthesis and material design of structural proteins, polypeptides, and poly(amino acid). He previously worked as JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow for Research Abroad at Tufts University (Medford, MA, United States), where he studiedbiosynthesis of silk-based polymers via bacterial pathways, as well as biomedical applications of silk-based polymers. Dr. Numata has received numerous awards for his work and is currently one of the associate editors of ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering, and an editorial advisory board member for Biomacromolecules and ACS Polymers Au.