Recombinant protein polymers that mimic the structures and functions of natural proteins and those tailor-designed with new properties provide a family of uniquely tunable and functional materials. However, the diversity of genetically engineered protein polymers is still limited. As a powerful engine for the creation of new biological devices and systems, synthetic biology is promising to tackle the challenges that exist in conventional studies on protein polymers. Here we review the advances in design and biosynthesis of advanced protein materials by synthetic biology approaches. In particular, we highlight their roles in expanding the variety of designer protein polymers and creating programmable materials with live cells.

模仿天然蛋白质的结构和功能的重组蛋白质聚合物，以及经过定制设计并具有新特性的蛋白质聚合物，提供了一系列独特的可调性和功能性材料。但是，基因工程蛋白质聚合物的多样性仍然有限。作为创建新生物设备和系统的强大引擎，合成生物学有望解决蛋白质聚合物常规研究中存在的挑战。在这里，我们通过合成生物学方法回顾高级蛋白质材料的设计和生物合成方面的进展。特别是，我们着重介绍了它们在扩大设计蛋白聚合物种类和利用活细胞创建可编程材料方面的作用。