Polymer Nanoparticle Hydrogels with Autonomous Affinity Switching for the Protection of Proteins from Thermal Stress

We report a new material design concept for synthetic, thermally responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based copolymer nanoparticle (NP) hydrogels, which protect proteins from thermal stress. The NP hydrogels bind and protect a target enzyme from irreversible activity loss upon exposure to heat but "autonomously" release the enzyme upon subsequent cooling of the solution. Incorporation of the optimized amount of negatively charged and...