Poly(amino acid)s/polypeptides as potential functional and structural materials

Abstract

Poly(amino acids) and polypeptides have the potential to contribute significantly to a biomass-based and sustainable society, due to their biomass origin, functionality, and unique physical properties. To realize amino acid-based polymers as eco-friendly alternatives for petroleum materials, the synthesis of poly(amino acid)s/polypeptides through an environmentally friendly process is needed. In this focus review, the author summarizes the recent progress of chemo-enzymatic polymerization, which is a green and atom-economical reaction that provides new insight into the design of materials from polypeptides. Additionally, polypeptides can be designed to serve as functional and structural materials. The use of peptides as carriers of nucleic acids for delivery into target cells and organelles is one important application of such functional materials. Studies on polypeptides as structural materials are also reviewed. Poly(amino acids) and polypeptides have the potential to contribute significantly to a biomass-based and sustainable society, due to their biomass origin, functionality, and unique physical properties. The recent progress of chemo-enzymatic syntheses of polypeptides as well as studies on peptides and silks as functional and structural materials is reviewed.