The ZT Biopolymer: A Self-Assembling Protein Scaffold for Stem Cell Applications.

ABSTRACT: The development of cell culture systems for the naturalistic propagation, self-renewal and differentiation of cells ex vivo is a high goal of molecular engineering. Despite significant success in recent years, the high cost of up-scaling cultures, the need for xeno-free culture conditions, and the degree of mimicry of the natural extracellular matrix attainable in vitro using designer substrates continue to pose obstacles to the translation of cell-based technologies. In this regard, the ZT biopolymer is a protein-based, stable, scalable, and economical cell substrate of high promise. ZT is based on the naturally occurring assembly of two human proteins: titin-Z1Z2 and telethonin. These protein building blocks are robust scaffolds that can be conveniently functionalized with full-length pr

SUBMITTER: Nesterenko Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6747707 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature