Fracture Detection in Bio‐Glues with Fluorescent‐Protein‐Based Optical Force Probes. Issue 16 (11th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Yu; Centeno, Silvia P.; Zhang, Kuan; Zheng, Lifei; Göstl, Robert; Herrmann, Andreas
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials. Volume 35:Issue 16(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2023-03-11
• Subjects: fluorescence lifetimes -- optical force probes -- polymer mechanochemistry -- proteins; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202210052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0935-9648

Abstract

Abstract: Glues are being used to bond, seal, and repair in industry and biomedicine. The improvement of gluing performance is hence important for the development of new glues with better and balanced property spaces, which in turn necessitates a mechanistic understanding of their mechanical failure. Optical force probes (OFPs) allow the observation of mechanical material damage in polymers from the macro‐ down to the microscale, yet have never been employed in glues. Here, the development of a series of ratiometric OFPs based on fluorescent‐protein–dye and protein–protein conjugates and their incorporation into genetically engineered bio‐glues is reported. The OFPs are designed to efficiently modulate Förster resonance energy transfer upon force application thereby reporting on force‐induced molecular alterations independent of concentration and fluorescence intensity both spectrally and through their fluorescence lifetime. By fluorescence spectroscopy in solution and in the solid state and by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, stress concentrations are visualized and adhesive and cohesive failure in the fracture zone is differentiated. Abstract : A series of ratiometric protein optical force probes is designed and used to fabricate force‐sensitive bio‐glue. The visualization of stress concentrations, monitoring of fracture zones, and identification of adhesive or cohesive failure are achieved by fluorescence spectroscopy and lifetime imaging microscopy.