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Artificial ECM proteins for artificial skin substrates

We are interested in designing and developing protein-based biomaterials for promoting accelerated wound healing. At the same time, provide a systematic understanding of the key material properties (both chemical and physical) that are relevant for rapid wound closure. 

 

We can also use matured polymer processing techniques to create three-dimensional scaffolds with tailorable porosities and morphologies to guide cellular behavior.

Image shows artificial protein nanofibers generated by electrospinning 

Biochemistry-enabled synthesis of complex nanomaterials

Elastin-like peptides have the ability to self-assemble in response to changes in temperature, pH and salt concentration. When these elastin-like peptide sequences are fused to metal-binding sequences, they will have the additional capability to nucleate the growth of metallic nanocrystals. By controlling the self-assembly of the elastin blocks, we can control the size and shape of the metallic nanoparticles, which have useful applications in wound healing, nanocatalysis and water treatment.

SEM image shows morphology of 3D metal vanadium phosphate nanostructures synthesized using elastin-like proteins

Genetically modified microbes for ecotechnology 

Growing concerns with depletion of natural resources such as phosphates, has urged efforts to develop novel waste-to-resource strategies. Bioremediation using microbes (or genetically modified organisms) have emerged as a promising solutions to digest food waste and recover rare materials.

 

 

Graph shows the difference in phosphate uptake by wildtype and recombinant E. coli strains

List of Publications 

  1. Y. Lu, H.X. Ang, Q. Yan, E. Fong*,  Bio-inspired synthesis of hierarchically porous MoO2/Mo2C nanocrystals decorated N-doped carbon foam for lithium-oxygen batteries, Chemistry of Materials (2016), Accepted
     

  2. G. Guo, Y. Y. Guo, H. Tan, H. Yu, W. Chen, E. Fong*, Q. Yan*, From fibrous elastin proteins to one-dimensional transition metal phosphides and their applications, J. Mater. Chem A, (2016), 4, 10893-10899
     

  3. Y. Zhou, W. Sun, X. Rui, Y. Zhou, W.J. Ng, Q. Yan, E. Fong*, Biochemistry-derived porous carbon-encapsulated metal oxide nanocrystals for enhanced sodium storage, NanoEnergy (2016), 21, 71-79
     

  4. Y. Lu, Y.P. Zhou, Q.Y. Yan, E. Fong*, Bio-inspired synthesis of N, F co-doped 3D graphitized carbon foams containing manganese fluoride nanocrystals for lithium ion batteries, J. Mater. Chem. A (2016), 4 (7), 2691-2698
     

  5. ​Y. Lu, E. Fong*, Biomass-mediated synthesis of carbon-supported nanostructured metal sulfides for ultra-high performance Lithium-ion batteries, J. Mater. Chem A (2016), 4, 2738-2745
     

  6. G. Guo, X. Yao, H. Ang, H. Tan, Y. Zhang, Y. Guo, E. Fong, Q. Yan, Using elastin protein to develop highly efficient air cathodes for lithium-O2 batteries, Nanotechnology, (2015), 27 (4), 045401
     

  7. Y. Zhou, X.H. Rui, Z.C. Xu, Y. Zhou, W.J. Ng, Q. Yan, E. Fong*, Biochemistry-enabled 3D foams for ultrafast batteries, ACS Nano (2015), 9 (4), 4628–4635
     

  8. Y. Lu, T.H.A. Truong, Y.T. Shang, E. Fong*, Fibrous antibacterial coatings from self-assembled silver-binding elastins, RSC Advances, (2015) 5 (107), 88027-88031
     

  9. S.J. Low, M.S. Tjin, E. Fong*, Design and construction of artificial extracellular matrix (aECM) proteins from Escherichia coli for skin tissue engineering, JOVE (2015), e52845-e52845 
     

  10. Y. Zhou, D. Yang, Y. Zeng, Y. Zhou, W.J. Ng, Q. Yan, E. Fong*, Recycling Bacteria for the Synthesis of LiMPO4 (M=Fe, Mn) Nanostructures for High‐Power Lithium Batteries, Small (2014) 10 (19), 3997-4002
     

  11. G. Guo, T. H. A. Truong, H. Tan, H. Ang, W. Zhang, C. Xu, X. Rui, Z. Hu, E. Fong*, Q. Yan, “Platinum and Palladium Nanotubes Based on Genetically Engineered Elastin-Mimetic Fusion Protein Fiber Templates: Synthesis and Application for Lithium-O2 Battery”, Chemistry – An Asian Journal (2014), 9 (9) 2555 - 2559
     

  12. M. S. Tjin, A. Chua, D. Ma, S. T. Lee, E. Fong*, “Keratinocyte cell response on integrin-specific artificial extracellular matrix proteins”, Macromolecule Bioscience (2014),  14 (8) 1125-1134
     

  13. M. S. Tjin, P. Low, E. Fong*, “Recombinant elastomeric protein biopolymers: Progress and Prospects”, Polymer J, (2014), 46 (8) 444-451
     

  14. Y-Q. Li, B. Zhu, Y. Li, W. R. Leow, R. Goh, B. Ma, E. Fong, M. Tang, X. Chen, “A Synergistic Capture Strategy for Enhanced Detection and Elimination of Bacteria”, Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2014), 53, 1-6
     

  15. D. Yang, Y. Zhou, X. Rui, J. Zhu, Z. Lu, E. Fong*, Q. Yan, “Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticle chains with N-doped carbon coating: magnetotactic bacteria assisted synthesis and high-rate lithium storage”, RSC Advances, (2013), 3 (35), 14960-14962
     

  16. T.T.H. Anh, M. Xing, D.H.T. Le, A. Sugawara-Narutaki, E. Fong*, "Elastin-based silver-binding proteins with antibacterial capabilities", Nanomedicine, (2013), 8 (4), 567-575
     

  17. P.R. Patel, R.C. Kiser, Y.Y. Lu, E. Fong, W.C. Ho, D.A. Tirrell, R. H. Grubbs, "Synthesis and cell adhesive properties of linear and cyclic RGD functionalized polynorbornene thin films", Biomacromolecules, (2012), 13 (8), 2546–2553
     

  18. E. Fong, S. Tzlil, D. A. Tirrell, "Boundary crossing in epithelial wound healing", Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, (2010) 107, 45, 19302-19307.
     

  19. E. Fong, D. A. Tirrell, "Artificial extracellular matrix proteins for rapid wound healing", Adv. Mater. (2010) 22,5271-5275.

List of Patents

1. 3D Carbon Foams Containing Hollow Metal Oxide Nanoparticles For High-Performance LIBS AND SIBS, Singapore Provisional Patent (10201604416U)

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2. Biochemistry-Derived Carbonaceous Metallics Frameworks For Use In Batteries, Singapore Provisional Patent (10201507712P), US Patent (PCT/SG2016/050151, pending)

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