The self-organizing properties of squid reflectin protein

摘要: Reflectins, a recently identified protein family that is enriched in aromatic and sulphur-containing amino acids, are used by certain cephalopods to manage manipulate incident light their environment. These proteins the predominant constituent of nanoscaled photonic structures function static adaptive colouration, extending visual performance intra-species communication. Our investigation into recombinantly expressed reflectin has revealed unanticipated self-assembling behavioural properties, we demonstrate can be easily processed thin films, grating fibres. findings represent key step our understanding property–function relationships this unique reflective proteins.