Protein Crosslinking
Protein crosslinking is a biochemical process where two or more protein molecules are chemically bonded together. This can occur naturally in the body or be induced in laboratory settings. Crosslinking can enhance the stability and functionality of proteins, making them more resistant to degradation.
In research and industry, protein crosslinking is used to study protein interactions and structures. It helps in the development of biomaterials and therapeutics, as crosslinked proteins can mimic natural tissues. Techniques like chemical crosslinking and photo-crosslinking are commonly employed to achieve specific bonding patterns in proteins.