Methods for producing, films comprising, and methods for using heterogenous crosslinked protein networks
Methods for producing biocompatible heterogeneous proteinaceous networks crosslinked with a heterogeneous crosslinking agent, and the novel crosslinked networks.
1. A method for making a keratin elastomer comprising contacting a solution of keratin proteins with a difunctional isocyanate cross-linking agent under conditions effective to cross-link the keratin proteins, wherein the elastomer is stable in an aqueous buffer having a pH of about 7 for at least 7 days.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the difunctional isocyanate cross-linking agent is hexanediisocyanate.
3. A method for making a keratin elastomer comprising contacting a solution of keratin proteins with a difunctional epoxide cross-linking agent under conditions effective to cross-link the keratin proteins, wherein the elastomer is stable in an aqueous buffer for at least 6 days.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the crosslinking agent is a diepoxide resin having the following general structure:
wherein n is from about 1 to about 50.
5. A method for making a keratin elastomer comprising contacting a solution of keratin proteins with an anhydride under conditions effective to cross-link the keratin proteins, wherein the elastomer is stable in an aqueous buffer for at least 6 days.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the anhydride is phthalic anhydride.
7. A keratin elastomer comprising keratin proteins cross-linked by a difunctional isocyanate cross-linking agent, wherein the elastomer is stable in an aqueous buffer having a pH of about 7 for at least 7 days.
8. The elastomer of claim 7 , wherein the difunctional isocyanate cross-linking agent is hexanediisocyanate.
9. A keratin elastomer comprising keratin proteins cross-linked with a difunctional epoxide cross-linking agent, wherein the elastomer is stable in an aqueous buffer for at least 6 days.
10. The keratin elastomer of claim 9 wherein the crosslinking agent is a diepoxide resin having the following general structure:
wherein n is from about 1 to about 50.
11. A keratin elastomer comprising keratin proteins cross-linked with an anhydride, wherein the elastomer is stable in an aqueous buffer for at least 6 days.
12. The elastomer of claim 11 , wherein the anhydride is phthalic anhydride.