Effect of chemical cross-linking on the mechanical properties of elastomeric peptides studied by single molecule force spectroscopy

► Animal tissues elasticity is due to cross-linked networks of elastomeric proteins. ►The molecular nature and the cross-linking procedure affect the overall elasticity. ►The role of cross-linking on single molecule mechanical properties was investigated. ►Monomers in a cross-linked pair must interact to sustain elasticity. ►Elastomeric protein design should take care of cross-linking other than elasticity.