Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Immobilization of Multi-biocatalysts in Alginate Beads for Cofactor Regeneration and Improved Reusability
Published on: April 22, 2016
Mechanotransductive surfaces for reversible biocatalysis activation
Damien Mertz1, Cédric Vogt, Joseph Hemmerlé
1Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, INSERM Unité 977, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, 11 rue Humann, 67085 Strasbourg Cedex, France.
Researchers designed novel nanoassembled surfaces mimicking protein cryptic sites. These surfaces reversibly control enzyme activity using mechanical stretching, inspired by mechanotransduction.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Mechanobiology
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Proteins like fibronectin possess cryptic sites exposed by mechanical force, initiating signaling pathways.
- Mechanotransduction involves the conversion of mechanical stimuli into biochemical signals within cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and characterize novel polymeric nanoassembled surfaces mimicking protein cryptic sites.
- To create mechanically responsive surfaces for controlled biocatalysis.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of polyelectrolyte multilayer nanoassemblies with encapsulated enzymes.
- Utilizing a mechanically sensitive capping layer to control enzyme accessibility.
- Investigating the reversible switching of biocatalytic activity via mechanical stretching.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated reversible on/off switching of enzyme activity through mechanical stretching.
- Nanoassemblies successfully mimicked the force-induced exposure of cryptic sites.
- Developed biologically inspired surfaces with tunable mechanical responsiveness.
Conclusions:
- The designed nanoassemblies represent a new class of biologically inspired materials.
- These surfaces offer a platform for mechanically controlled chemical reactions.
- Potential applications include microfluidic devices and mechanically controlled biopatches.
More Related Videos
10:28Using Synthetic Biology to Engineer Living Cells That Interface with Programmable Materials
Published on: March 9, 2017
14:43Microfluidic On-chip Capture-cycloaddition Reaction to Reversibly Immobilize Small Molecules or Multi-component Structures for Biosensor Applications
Published on: September 23, 2013
Related Concept Videos
Introduction to Mechanisms of Enzyme Catalysis
Introduction to Mechanisms of Enzyme Catalysis
Heterogeneous Catalysis
Reversible or Opposing Reactions
Catalysis
Catalysis