Bioinspired self-assembly of tyrosinase-modified silicatein and fluorescent core–shell silica spheres

Inspired by the intermolecular cross-linking of mussel foot proteins and their adhesive properties, tyrosinase has been used to modify recombinant silicatein. DOPA/DOPAquinone-mediated cross-linking and interfacial interactions enhanced both self-assembly of silicatein building blocks and templating of core–shell silica spheres, resulting in fluorescent biomimetic silicatein–silica hybrid mesofibers.