LAUSR

A one‐to‐one conjugate of cross‐linked human hemoglobin and human serum albumin results from a strain‐promoted alkyne‐azide cycloaddition (SPAAC) of the modified proteins. Additions of a strained alkyne‐substituted maleimide to the Cys‐34 thiol of human serum albumin and an azide‐containing cross‐link between the amino groups of each β‐unit at Lys‐82 of human hemoglobin provide sites for coupling by the SPAAC process. The coupled hemoglobin‐albumin conjugate can be readily purified from unreacted hemoglobin. The oxygen binding properties of the two‐protein bioconjugate demonstrate oxygen affinity and cooperativity that are suitable for use in an acellular oxygen carrier.