Figure 7: Schematics of the structure of (FL)8-based hydrogels.
From: Forced protein unfolding leads to highly elastic and tough protein hydrogels
The (FL)8-based hydrogels have intertwined chemically and physically cross-linked networks. Chemically cross-linked network is formed via a photochemical cross-linking strategy, which allows the cross-linking of two adjacent tyrosine residues into dityrosine adducts. Swelling force generated in the hydrogel results in the unfolding of a significant amount of FL domains, which then undergo hydrophobic collapse and form physically cross-linked large aggregates, giving rise to an opaque appearance of the hydrogel.
