biocompatible materials suitable for use in vascular applications have been engineered , combining human recombinant tropoelastin with other synthetic or natural biomaterials to form protoelastin . the materials can be in the form of elastin films on metal , bone , ceramic or polymer substrates , laminates of alternating polymer and elastin , blends of polymer and elastin , or elastin crosslinked with or tethered to polymer . the flexibility in engineering and design makes protoelastin biomaterials suited not only to the production of conduits but any number of other vascular applications that require blood contacting surfaces . tropoelastin and the subsequently engineered biomaterial protoelastin provide the opportunity to satisfy a large unmet need for a biocompatible material adaptable enough to meet a range of diverse vascular uses . these are mechanically stable , elastic , strong and biocompatible ( i . e ., not thrombogenic and promoting adhesion of cells , especially human endothelial cells .