A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Biosynthetic optical waveguide interface integration using biomimetic - de novo design ELP for optoelectronic applications
Authors: Seisto, Anni; Hokkanen, Ari; Damlin, Pia; Pylkkänen, Robert; Kiiveri, Kirsi; Borisova, Anna S.; Kvarnström, Carita; Cheng, Xu; Sun, Zhipei; Nonappa; Mohammadi, Pezhman
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
Volume: 33
First page : 13
Last page: 23
eISSN: 2001-0370
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csbj.2025.12.009
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csbj.2025.12.009
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/508368887
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
The integration of biologically inspired materials into photonic device fabrication offers a promising route toward sustainable and biocompatible alternative to conventional in inorganic or petroleum based synthetic materials used in optoelectronic systems. In this work, we present a biosynthetic approach for waveguide fabrication utilizing a biomimetic - de novo designed elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) formulated into an all-water-based photoresist compatible with two-photon polymerization (2PP). The ELP was genetically engineered and recombinantly produced in microbes for enhanced molecular stability, a critical feature for withstanding both localized and bulk temperature increases that occur during high-intensity laser exposure during printing. The resulting ELP formulation supported direct writing of waveguide architecture without the need for organic solvents, harsh processing steps, or post-functionalization. This aqueous resist formulation exhibits high stability during printing and retains its structural integrity upon curing, making it a promising candidate for environmentally friendly, soft-material photonics. This work establishes a foundation for using biosynthetic polypeptides in the fabrication of functional photonic elements and demonstrates a step toward greener, protein-based optoelectronic manufacturing technologies.
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Funding information in the publication:
This work was supported by the Academy of Finland project 348628, and internal funding from the VTT Technical Research Center of Finland, Ltd.