Elastin‐Like Recombinamers: Deconstructing and Recapitulating the Functionality of Extracellular Matrix Proteins Using Recombinant Protein Polymers

In the development of tissue engineering strategies to replace, remodel, regenerate, or support damaged tissue, the development of bioinspired biomaterials that recapitulate the physicochemical characteristics of the extracellular matrix has received increased attention. Given the compositional heterogeneity and tissue‐to‐tissue variation of the extracellular matrix, the design, choice of polymer, crosslinking, and nature of the resulting biomaterials are normally depended on intended application. Generally, these biomaterials are usually made of degradable or nondegradable biomaterials that can be used as cell or drug carriers. In recent years, efforts to endow reciprocal biomaterial–cell interaction properties in scaffolds have inspired controlled synthesis, derivatization, and functionalization of the polymers used. In this regard, elastin‐like recombinant proteins have generated interest and continue to be developed further owing to their modular design at a molecular level. In this review, the authors provide a summary of key extracellular matrix features relevant to biomaterials design and discuss current approaches in the development of extracellular matrix‐inspired elastin‐like recombinant protein based biomaterials. The extracellular matrix heterogeneity and associated cellular interactions have inspired the production of biomaterials with tailored reciprocal matrix–cell interactions. Hereof, elastin‐like recombinamers are gaining popularity owing to their modular design at a molecular level. Here, key extracellular matrix features relevant to biomaterials design are summarized and current approaches in the development of extracellular matrix‐inspired elastin‐like recombinamer based biomaterials are discussed.