Sequence-Structure-Property Relationships in Polymeric Proteins: Thermo-optic Properties and Device Applications

POSTER

Abstract

Proteins are a natural source of building blocks for designing biological materials. Polymeric (i.e., repetitive) proteins are key to the creation of many designer materials with programmable flexibility, biocompatibility, superior optical properties, energy efficiency, and mechanical strength. We report the development of a novel technique to screen protein crystallinity quantitatively based on laser-probing. First, we show theoretically that the temperature dependence of the refractive index of a polymeric protein is correlated to its crystallinity. Then, we performed time-domain thermo-transmission experiments on purified semi-crystalline proteins, both native and recombinant (i.e., silk and squid ring teeth), and also on intact E. coli cells bearing overexpressed recombinant protein. Ultimately, this allows us to quantify rapidly the crystallinity of a protein sample using time-domain thermo-transmission spectroscopy by decoupling volumetric thermal expansion from its structural response at room temperature. Successful development of this technique for polymeric proteins will have a significant impact on multiple applications in various fields (e.g., materials science, agriculture, neurological diseases and medicine) and open new avenues of protein research.

Authors

  • Chester Szwejkowski

    University of Virginia

  • Jonathan Tan

    Duquesne University, Baker Hughes, Hampton University, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Texas Christian University, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Austin Peay State University, Virginia Military Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University of Virginia, Washington University, National Institute for Materials Science, Japan, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan, Univ of Kentucky, Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Univ of Virginia, James Madison University, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, High Point University, Department of Chemistry, High Point University, Department of Physics, James Madison University, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, Institute of Renewable Energy and Environment Technology, University of Bolton, Bolton, UK, Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Ames Laboratory, US Dept. of Energy, Ames, IA, Lehigh University, University of Pardubice, Universite de Rennes, Jan Dlugosz University, Translume, NSCL/FRIB, Duke University, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, University of St. Andrews, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, University of Florida, Yale University, None, Georgia College & State Univ, Georgia College & State University, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Univ of Tennessee Space Inst, The University of Virginia, Chiang Mai University, DHA Suffa University, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Pardubice, Czech Republic, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN, United States, George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Istanbul University, Georgia College and State University, University of Houston, Western Kentucky Univ, James Madison University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Chile, Trent University, Univ of Arizona, Ohio State University, NRAO, University of Virginia/NRAO

  • Jonathan Tan

    Duquesne University, Baker Hughes, Hampton University, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Texas Christian University, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Austin Peay State University, Virginia Military Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University of Virginia, Washington University, National Institute for Materials Science, Japan, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan, Univ of Kentucky, Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Univ of Virginia, James Madison University, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, High Point University, Department of Chemistry, High Point University, Department of Physics, James Madison University, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, Institute of Renewable Energy and Environment Technology, University of Bolton, Bolton, UK, Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Ames Laboratory, US Dept. of Energy, Ames, IA, Lehigh University, University of Pardubice, Universite de Rennes, Jan Dlugosz University, Translume, NSCL/FRIB, Duke University, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, University of St. Andrews, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, University of Florida, Yale University, None, Georgia College & State Univ, Georgia College & State University, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Univ of Tennessee Space Inst, The University of Virginia, Chiang Mai University, DHA Suffa University, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Pardubice, Czech Republic, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN, United States, George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Istanbul University, Georgia College and State University, University of Houston, Western Kentucky Univ, James Madison University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Chile, Trent University, Univ of Arizona, Ohio State University, NRAO, University of Virginia/NRAO

  • Jonathan Tan

    Duquesne University, Baker Hughes, Hampton University, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Texas Christian University, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Austin Peay State University, Virginia Military Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University of Virginia, Washington University, National Institute for Materials Science, Japan, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan, Univ of Kentucky, Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Univ of Virginia, James Madison University, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, High Point University, Department of Chemistry, High Point University, Department of Physics, James Madison University, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, Institute of Renewable Energy and Environment Technology, University of Bolton, Bolton, UK, Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Ames Laboratory, US Dept. of Energy, Ames, IA, Lehigh University, University of Pardubice, Universite de Rennes, Jan Dlugosz University, Translume, NSCL/FRIB, Duke University, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, University of St. Andrews, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, University of Florida, Yale University, None, Georgia College & State Univ, Georgia College & State University, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Univ of Tennessee Space Inst, The University of Virginia, Chiang Mai University, DHA Suffa University, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Pardubice, Czech Republic, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN, United States, George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Istanbul University, Georgia College and State University, University of Houston, Western Kentucky Univ, James Madison University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Chile, Trent University, Univ of Arizona, Ohio State University, NRAO, University of Virginia/NRAO

  • Jonathan Tan

    Duquesne University, Baker Hughes, Hampton University, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Texas Christian University, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Austin Peay State University, Virginia Military Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University of Virginia, Washington University, National Institute for Materials Science, Japan, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan, Univ of Kentucky, Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Univ of Virginia, James Madison University, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, High Point University, Department of Chemistry, High Point University, Department of Physics, James Madison University, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, Institute of Renewable Energy and Environment Technology, University of Bolton, Bolton, UK, Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Ames Laboratory, US Dept. of Energy, Ames, IA, Lehigh University, University of Pardubice, Universite de Rennes, Jan Dlugosz University, Translume, NSCL/FRIB, Duke University, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, University of St. Andrews, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, University of Florida, Yale University, None, Georgia College & State Univ, Georgia College & State University, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Univ of Tennessee Space Inst, The University of Virginia, Chiang Mai University, DHA Suffa University, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Pardubice, Czech Republic, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN, United States, George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Istanbul University, Georgia College and State University, University of Houston, Western Kentucky Univ, James Madison University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Chile, Trent University, Univ of Arizona, Ohio State University, NRAO, University of Virginia/NRAO

  • Jonathan Tan

    Duquesne University, Baker Hughes, Hampton University, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Texas Christian University, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Austin Peay State University, Virginia Military Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University of Virginia, Washington University, National Institute for Materials Science, Japan, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan, Univ of Kentucky, Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Univ of Virginia, James Madison University, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, High Point University, Department of Chemistry, High Point University, Department of Physics, James Madison University, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, Institute of Renewable Energy and Environment Technology, University of Bolton, Bolton, UK, Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Ames Laboratory, US Dept. of Energy, Ames, IA, Lehigh University, University of Pardubice, Universite de Rennes, Jan Dlugosz University, Translume, NSCL/FRIB, Duke University, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, University of St. Andrews, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, University of Florida, Yale University, None, Georgia College & State Univ, Georgia College & State University, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Univ of Tennessee Space Inst, The University of Virginia, Chiang Mai University, DHA Suffa University, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Pardubice, Czech Republic, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN, United States, George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Istanbul University, Georgia College and State University, University of Houston, Western Kentucky Univ, James Madison University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Chile, Trent University, Univ of Arizona, Ohio State University, NRAO, University of Virginia/NRAO

  • Jonathan Tan

    Duquesne University, Baker Hughes, Hampton University, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Texas Christian University, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Austin Peay State University, Virginia Military Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University of Virginia, Washington University, National Institute for Materials Science, Japan, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan, Univ of Kentucky, Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Univ of Virginia, James Madison University, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, High Point University, Department of Chemistry, High Point University, Department of Physics, James Madison University, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, Institute of Renewable Energy and Environment Technology, University of Bolton, Bolton, UK, Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Ames Laboratory, US Dept. of Energy, Ames, IA, Lehigh University, University of Pardubice, Universite de Rennes, Jan Dlugosz University, Translume, NSCL/FRIB, Duke University, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, University of St. Andrews, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, University of Florida, Yale University, None, Georgia College & State Univ, Georgia College & State University, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Univ of Tennessee Space Inst, The University of Virginia, Chiang Mai University, DHA Suffa University, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Pardubice, Czech Republic, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN, United States, George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Istanbul University, Georgia College and State University, University of Houston, Western Kentucky Univ, James Madison University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Chile, Trent University, Univ of Arizona, Ohio State University, NRAO, University of Virginia/NRAO

  • Jonathan Tan

    Duquesne University, Baker Hughes, Hampton University, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Texas Christian University, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Austin Peay State University, Virginia Military Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University of Virginia, Washington University, National Institute for Materials Science, Japan, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan, Univ of Kentucky, Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Univ of Virginia, James Madison University, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, High Point University, Department of Chemistry, High Point University, Department of Physics, James Madison University, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, Institute of Renewable Energy and Environment Technology, University of Bolton, Bolton, UK, Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Ames Laboratory, US Dept. of Energy, Ames, IA, Lehigh University, University of Pardubice, Universite de Rennes, Jan Dlugosz University, Translume, NSCL/FRIB, Duke University, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, University of St. Andrews, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, University of Florida, Yale University, None, Georgia College & State Univ, Georgia College & State University, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Univ of Tennessee Space Inst, The University of Virginia, Chiang Mai University, DHA Suffa University, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Pardubice, Czech Republic, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN, United States, George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Istanbul University, Georgia College and State University, University of Houston, Western Kentucky Univ, James Madison University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Chile, Trent University, Univ of Arizona, Ohio State University, NRAO, University of Virginia/NRAO