Biotechnology offers powerful solutions to the challenges that arise during the design and development of new complex biomimetic materials to achieve specific biological responses. Recombinant DNA technologies, in particular, provide unique solutions in the biomaterials field, especially regarding the control of macromolecular architectures involving protein sequences with the aim of addressing the multiple functional requirements needed for biomaterials' applications. Here, elastin-like recombinamers are presented as an example of an extraordinary convergence of different properties that is not found in any other polymer system. These materials are highly biocompatible, stimuli-responsive, show unusual self-assembly properties and can include bioactive domains along the polypeptide chain. Applications of these engineered biomimetic polymers in nanotechnological systems, stimuli-responsive biosurfaces and tissue engineering will be discussed. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.