The present invention relates to a novel biopolymer consisting of a
three-dimensional cross-linked mixture of (a) a cross-linking agent,
activated with an activating agent, dissolved in a aqueous solution, and
(b) a recombinant protein, namely polyubiquitin. The novel biopolymer is
based on the cross-linking of ubiquitin (monomeric and/or polymeric) with
a cross-linking agent, preferably bifunctionalized polyethylene oxides or
a polyethylene glycol of various molecular masses (MW 2000 to 35 000 kDa),
dissolved in aqueous solution in adequate proportions. The novel
biopolymer offers a wide range of formulations since the number of
ubiquitin units and cross-linking agent can vary both in length and ratio.
The novel hydrogel is also biodegradable by a specific protease and is
resistant to a wide range of other proteases.
