15 research outputs found
Mason Degree
Certifies that the signer of this documents has been accepted as a member of the Mason Order with the degree of Master Mason in the China Masonry. He fulfilled the requirements of the order to become the Master Maso
Functional complementation of the SC3 hydrophobin by the SC4 hydrophobin in Schizophyllum commune
Functional complementation of the SC3 hydrophobin by the SC4 hydrophobin in Schizophyllum commune
The use of hydrophobins to functionalize surfaces
The physiochemical nature of surfaces can be changed by small proteins which are secreted by filamentous fungi. These proteins, called hydrophobins, are characterized by the presence of eight conserved cysteine residues and a typical hydropathy pattern. Upon contact with a hydrophilicâhydrophobic interface they selfâassemble into highly insoluble amphipathic membranes. As a result, hydrophobic surfaces become hydrophilic and vice versa. Genetic engineering of hydrophobins was used to study structureâfunction relationships. In addition, engineered hydrophobins were constructed to increase the biocompatibility of surfaces. The glycosylated Nâterminal region of the mature SC3 hydrophobin was deleted and the cellâbinding domain of human fibronectin was introduced at the Nâterminus. The gross properties of the hydrophobins were not affected. However, the physiochemical properties of the hydrophilic side of the assembled protein did change. Growth of fibroblasts on Teflon could be improved by coating the solid with the engineered hydrophobins. Thus, by changing the Nâterminal part of hydrophobins, the physiochemical nature of the hydrophilic side of the assembled form can be altered and a variety of new functionalities introduced. The fact that hydrophobins selfâassemble at any hydrophilicâhydrophobic interface, irrespective of the chemical nature of the surface, therefore provides a generic approach to modify surfaces and make them interesting candidates for the use in various technical and medical applications