The intricate multiscale architectures in natural structural building blocks provide many sources of inspiration for the designs of artificial biomaterials. In nature, the assembly of highly ordered molecular crystals and amorphous aggregates often derives from inter- and intra-molecular interactions of biomacromolecules, e.g., proteinaceous materials. The structural biomaterials derived from the protein self-assembly behave with remarkable mechanical performance. However, there is still a grand challenge to mimic the mechanical properties of natural protein-based biomaterials in a rational design fashion to yield comparable man-made synthetic ensembles. In this review, a brief perspective on current challenges and advances in terms of bioinspired structural materials is presented. We outline a framework for mimicking protein self-assembly of natural building blocks across multiscale and highlight the critical role of synthetic biology and chemical modifications in material biosynthesis. Particularly, we focus on the design and promising applications of protein-based fibers, adhesives, dynamic hydrogels and engineered living materials, in which natural mechanical functions are effectively reproduced.

天然结构构件中错综复杂的多尺度结构为人造生物材料的设计提供了许多灵感来源。在自然界中，高度有序的分子晶体和无定形聚集体的组装通常源自生物大分子的分子间和分子内相互作用，例如, 蛋白质类物质。源自蛋白质自组装的结构生物材料具有卓越的机械性能。然而，以合理的设计方式模仿天然蛋白质基生物材料的机械特性以产生可比的人造合成整体仍然是一个巨大的挑战。在这篇综述中，简要介绍了仿生结构材料当前面临的挑战和进展。我们概述了跨多尺度模拟天然构建块的蛋白质自组装的框架，并强调了合成生物学和化学修饰在材料生物合成中的关键作用。特别是，我们专注于蛋白质纤维、粘合剂、动态水凝胶和工程生物材料的设计和有前途的应用，