Human Elastin-Like Polypeptides (HELPs) - a novel thermoresponsive material for cell culture applications

Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) have a distinct thermal behaviour, known as inverse temperature phase transition. Below a critical temperature the polypeptides are present as aqueous solution, above this temperature they aggregate. Their smart properties make them attractive for the development of biomaterials to support cells in tissue engineering (TE).