Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 12, 2026
06:11
In Vivo Targeted Expression of Optogenetic Proteins Using Silk/AAV Films
Published on: February 26, 2019
9.0K
Non-equilibrium silk fibroin adhesives
Tuna Yucel1, Nikola Kojic, Gary G Leisk
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
Journal of Structural Biology
|December 23, 2009
Summary
Regenerated silkworm silk solutions form electric field gels (e-gels) through molecular self-assembly, not beta-sheet formation. These e-gels exhibit tunable stiffness and dynamic adhesion, offering new material possibilities.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Biophysics
Background:
- Regenerated silkworm silk fibroin is a promising biomaterial.
- Understanding silk-based material formation under external stimuli is crucial for applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the electrogelation of silk fibroin solutions.
- To elucidate the structural basis of silk fibroin electrogel formation and its mechanical properties.
Main Methods:
- Raman spectroscopy
- In situ electric field dynamic oscillatory rheology
- Polarized optical microscopy
- Transient adhesion testing
Main Results:
- Silk fibroin solutions formed metastable, soft-solid-like e-gels under weak electric fields.
- Electrogelation involved intermolecular self-assembly into amorphous micellar structures with intermicellar entanglement crosslinks.
- E-gel formation did not require significant beta-strand or beta-sheet formation, distinguishing it from hydrogels.
- E-gel stiffness was partially reversible upon field removal, and adhesion was linked to local proton concentration changes.
Conclusions:
- Silk fibroin electrogelation is a distinct process driven by intermolecular self-assembly and entanglement.
- The tunable and reversible nature of e-gels, along with their adhesive properties, suggests potential in dynamic material applications.
- A working model for electrogelation and adhesion mechanisms was proposed.
