Beyond Animal Collagen: The Promise of Bacterial Collagen-like Proteins (CLPs)

Collagen is a widely distributed extracellular matrix protein crucial for various biological processes and is extensively used as a biomaterial in medical applications. While animal-derived collagen is commonly used in tissue engineering, it often suffers from batch-to-batch variability and potential immunogenicity. As a promising alternative, prokaryotic sources, specifically bacterial collagen-like proteins (CLPs), offer easier scalability and a lower risk of immune reactions. This Perspective discusses the structural and functional properties of collagen by type and source, emphasizing its biomedical relevance. It also explores the limitations of animal-derived collagen and examines the advantages of bacterial collagen as a sustainable and biocompatible option. Additionally, recent advancements in bacterial collagen production, purification, scalability, and applications in tissue engineering are outlined. In conclusion, bacterial collagen addresses many shortcomings of animal-derived collagen and holds significant promise for innovative tissue engineering biomaterials. However, it still requires further comprehensive validation using <i>in vivo</i> models to ensure robust clinical translation and ensure its readiness for commercial use.