Elastin and elastin-based polymers

Tropoelastin, elastin and elastin-derived peptides are very interesting molecules for the production of nanodevices with different purposes. Because of its peculiar structure and physical chemical characteristics, due to alternate hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains, tropoelastin can be fragmented and each fragment used for specific functions, such as to bring elasticity, self assembling properties, interactions with cells, with artificial polymers and with other matrix constituents, activation of metabolic pathways. Rather interestingly, hydrogels can be also produced for cell delivery of DNA and of drugs, so becoming a promising tool in tumor chemotherapy.