Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Globular Proteins01:27

Globular Proteins

9.8K
In organisms, proteins are the most abundant macromolecules. They act as the building blocks of life and play various crucial roles in the body. Proteins can be broadly classified into two distinct subtypes based on their shape and solubilities: globular proteins and fibrous proteins.
Globular proteins serve many important physiological functions, such as acting as enzymes, cellular messengers, and molecular transporters. These roles often require the proteins to be soluble in the aqueous...
9.8K
Globular and Fibrous Proteins02:21

Globular and Fibrous Proteins

46.8K
Many proteins can be classified into two distinct subtypes - globular or fibrous. These two types differ in their shapes and solubilities.
Globular proteins are also known as spheroproteins and typically are approximately round in shape. They contain a mix of amino acid types and contain differing sequences in their primary structures. Globular proteins have many different functions, such as enzymes, cellular messengers, and molecular transporters. These roles often require the proteins to be...
46.8K
Globular and Fibrous Proteins02:21

Globular and Fibrous Proteins

5.2K
5.2K
Mechanical Protein Functions01:58

Mechanical Protein Functions

5.5K
Proteins perform many mechanical functions in a cell. These proteins can be classified into two general categories- proteins that generate mechanical forces and proteins that are subjected to mechanical forces. Proteins providing mechanical support to the structure of the cell, such as keratin, are subjected to mechanical force, whereas proteins involved in cell movement and transport of molecules across cell membranes, such as an ion pump, are examples of generating mechanical force. 
5.5K
Mechanical Protein Function01:58

Mechanical Protein Function

2.5K
2.5K
Fibrous Proteins00:55

Fibrous Proteins

4.1K
Fibrous proteins are either long and narrow proteins or assemble to form long and thin structures. They contain repetitive units and usually consist of either alpha helices or beta sheets and, in rare cases, a mix of both. The amino acids in the primary structure often consist of repeating amino acid sequences. The role of fibrous proteins is primarily structural. Many are located in the extracellular matrix and are present in connective tissues to impart strength and joint mobility. They are...
4.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Health literacy among residents in communities implementing healthy community initiatives: a cross-sectional study.

Frontiers in public health·2026
Same author

Combination therapy with moderate-intensity statins and ezetimibe and risk of incident PCI/CABG in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a propensity-matched cohort study.

The Lancet regional health. Western Pacific·2026
Same author

CARS_SPA optimized UV-Vis spectroscopy for rapid and robust COD prediction in water samples.

Spectrochimica acta. Part A, Molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy·2026
Same author

Responses of the plant community characteristics and diversity of abandoned grasslands in the Loess Hilly Region in China to slope aspect and year of abandonment.

Frontiers in plant science·2026
Same author

A Self-Alarming Nanoantidote for Early Urinary Diagnosis and Antioxidative Therapy of Drug-Induced Acute Kidney Injury.

ACS nano·2026
Same author

An Immunocompatible Conductive Hydrogel Via Anion-Ï€ Interlocking as an Injectable Bridge for Sustained Bioelectronic Interfacing.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 18, 2026

Designing Silk-silk Protein Alloy Materials for Biomedical Applications
11:14

Designing Silk-silk Protein Alloy Materials for Biomedical Applications

Published on: August 13, 2014

18.9K

Globular proteins as functional-mechanical materials: a multiscale perspective on design, processing, and

Haonan He1,2, Peng Zhang1,2,3, Jian Ji1,2,3,4

  • 1MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China. zhangp7@zju.edu.cn.

Materials Horizons
|September 11, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Globular proteins are emerging as versatile building blocks for advanced functional-mechanical materials. Engineering these biomolecules enhances their mechanical properties for applications in tissue engineering and soft electronics.

More Related Videos

Force-Clamp Rheometry for Characterizing Protein-based Hydrogels
09:55

Force-Clamp Rheometry for Characterizing Protein-based Hydrogels

Published on: August 21, 2018

7.4K
Multi-Scale Modification of Metallic Implants With Pore Gradients, Polyelectrolytes and Their Indirect Monitoring In vivo
12:19

Multi-Scale Modification of Metallic Implants With Pore Gradients, Polyelectrolytes and Their Indirect Monitoring In vivo

Published on: July 1, 2013

11.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 18, 2026

Designing Silk-silk Protein Alloy Materials for Biomedical Applications
11:14

Designing Silk-silk Protein Alloy Materials for Biomedical Applications

Published on: August 13, 2014

18.9K
Force-Clamp Rheometry for Characterizing Protein-based Hydrogels
09:55

Force-Clamp Rheometry for Characterizing Protein-based Hydrogels

Published on: August 21, 2018

7.4K
Multi-Scale Modification of Metallic Implants With Pore Gradients, Polyelectrolytes and Their Indirect Monitoring In vivo
12:19

Multi-Scale Modification of Metallic Implants With Pore Gradients, Polyelectrolytes and Their Indirect Monitoring In vivo

Published on: July 1, 2013

11.2K

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Protein Engineering
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Globular proteins were traditionally viewed as non-structural biomolecules.
  • Recent recognition of their potential as building blocks for functional-mechanical materials.
  • Inherent bioactivity, chemical versatility, and tunable structures make them ideal for advanced materials.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in engineering globular proteins into functional-mechanical platforms.
  • To discuss strategies for enhancing mechanical properties and material formats.
  • To evaluate challenges and inspire new directions in biocompatible materials.

Main Methods:

  • Sequence engineering
  • Crosslinking chemistry
  • Hybrid modulation
  • Hierarchical assembly
  • Processing techniques (wet/electro-spinning, 3D printing, self-assembly)

Main Results:

  • Engineered globular proteins can form diverse material formats (fibers, films, hydrogels, scaffolds).
  • Strategies effectively enhance mechanical properties while considering protein constraints.
  • Emerging applications include tissue engineering, soft electronics, and adaptive systems.

Conclusions:

  • Globular proteins can be repositioned as dynamic, tunable platforms for intelligent materials.
  • Key challenges include maintaining functional activity, ensuring interfacial stability, and developing scalable processing.
  • This work encourages innovation in biocompatible and sustainable material development.