ABSTRACT
Nanoparticles, or microspheres, are ideal drug delivery systems for both controlled and targeted drug delivery. Their sizes typically range between 1–100 nm in diameter and can extend to more than 1000 nm. Advances in medical technology have also brought about techniques to synthesize protein-based materials that offer improved efficacy and reduced costs compared to synthetic materials. Protein polymers are natural macromolecules derived from plants and animals which makes them an easily obtainable, renewable resource. In addition to their biodegradability and tunable properties, nanoparticles fabricated from protein-based materials are often biocompatible and can be easily processed. The polymer functionality of elastin-like-peptides nanoparticles can be controlled by using a recombinant fabrication technique. This means that variables pertaining to drug release, such as composition and molecular weight, can be tailored for a variety of applications in drug delivery.
