Individual protein molecules form the smallest building blocks, which assemble into filaments. Crucially, this higher-order organisation protects the otherwise fragile building blocks, just as in the cytoskeleton. Once irradiation ceases, the bundles dissociate and the building blocks disintegrate under acidic conditions. The hierarchical bundling not only enhances fibre stability but can also be observed with the naked eye. Even in the hydrogel state, the building blocks remain protected against acid and chemical attack.