Synthetic platform, designed to mimic at least partially the cuticle of mouthparts of a terrestrial arthropod

Abstract

The invention relates to a synthetic platform for mimicking at least one type of interaction between a cuticular protein and a cuticulotropic agent occurring in the natural buccal cuticle of a terrestrial arthropod. The platform comprises a chitosan film in which at least one cuticular protein present in the natural cuticle of said terrestrial arthropod is encapsulated, while remaining accessible for interaction with at least said cuticulotropic agent. The invention also relates to methods for its fabrication and in vitro evaluation and identification methods using the platform. Figure for abstract: none