A melanin-inspired pro-oxidant system for DOPA(mine) polymerization: Mimicking the natural casing process

An oxygen-dependent biomimetic system for DOPA, dopamine and norepinephrine polymerization exploiting the redox properties of a 5-S-cysteinylDOPA (CD)-melanin polymer is disclosed. Kinetic, chemical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evidence indicates conversion of DOPA into a black insoluble polymer encapsulating the active CD-melanin core. © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry.