Protein-based custom-designed molecular nanotraps for biomedical applications

The development of highly selective nanoscaled platforms for molecular recognition has gained significant attention in nanomedicine. Recently, we pioneered a versatile methodology for fabricating custom-designed molecular nanotraps using naturally derived polymers, by relying on protein building blocks and employing the molecular imprinting technique to confer selectivity toward specific molecular targets. With a portfolio of protein-based units that includes cross-linkable silk fibroin and gelatin, the approach enables tailored nanostructures capable of efficient and selective recognition towards molecular targets of clinical relevance. Envisaged applications span from targeting relevant biomarkers for therapeutics, diagnostics, and in situ sensing to building high-complexity order meta-biomaterials.