Protein-based materials have emerged as a powerful instrument for a new generation of biological materials, with many chemical and mechanical capabilities. Through the manipulation of DNA, researchers can design proteins at the molecular level, engineering a vast array of structural building blocks. However, our capability to rationally design and predict the properties of such materials is limited by the vastness of possible sequence space. Directed evolution has emerged as a powerful tool to improve biological systems through mutation and selection, presenting another avenue to produce novel protein materials. In this prospective review, we discuss the application of directed evolution for protein materials, reviewing current examples and developments that could facilitate the evolution of protein for material applications.

中文翻译：

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迈向蛋白质材料的定向进化

蛋白质材料已成为新一代生物材料的强大工具，具有许多化学和机械功能。通过操纵 DNA，研究人员可以在分子水平上设计蛋白质，设计出大量的结构构件。然而，我们合理设计和预测此类材料特性的能力受到可能的序列空间的巨大限制。定向进化已成为通过突变和选择来改善生物系统的强大工具，为生产新型蛋白质材料提供了另一条途径。在这篇前瞻性综述中，我们讨论了定向进化在蛋白质材料中的应用，回顾了当前可以促进蛋白质进化在材料应用中的例子和发展。