Biopolymers (e.g., elastin, cellulose, silk) have a propensity towards molecular self-assembly and self-organisation that underpins their ability in living organisms to generate natural functional materials with remarkable performance. Thus, these biopolymers are gaining increasing attention as alternative building blocks to replace fossil-based polymers as source of synthetic functional materials for applications in healthcare, energy, or the environment

We use biopolymers to develop functional materials, alone or in combination with additives like (i) microorganisms that synthesise functional molecules to create living materials; or (ii) biobased materials obtained from the conversion of low-value bioresources to create composite materials. The aim is to invent new materials with tailored nanostructures, controlled interfacial chemistry, and advanced physicochemical or biological functionalities that can interact with the environment, other biomolecules, or living tissues. Our experimental work is supported by multiscale computation to unveil structure-property relationships at the atomistic and micrometer scale, connecting molecular-based nanoscience with the synthesis of such materials.