Stable cross-linked gels were synthesized by polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) blended with 3. Seed protein (zein) and 4,4’-diazido-2,2’-stilbenedisulfonic acid (DAS) in dimethyl sulfoxide following irradiation. Grafting of DAS-zein chains on polyNIPA backbone was proposed. The gels were shown to undergo discontinuous volume transition at around 32 degrees C corresponding to lower critical solution temperature of NIPA. The gel swelling was pH-sensitive. Sharp maximum on viscosity vs temperature plots was observed in suspensions of the gel particles at 32 degrees C due to interparticle network formation caused by hydrophobic interactions between polyNIPA domains.