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Silk micrococoons for protein stabilisation and molecular encapsulation.

Ulyana Shimanovich1,2, Francesco S Ruggeri1, Erwin De Genst1

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|July 20, 2017
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a microfluidics method to create silk micrococoons from Bombyx mori silkworms. These micrococoons effectively store unstable native silk and sensitive proteins like antibodies, preserving their function over time.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Protein Engineering
  • Microfluidics

Background:

  • Naturally spun silks possess desirable properties like strength and biocompatibility.
  • Liquid native silk is inherently unstable and difficult to store.
  • Aggregation-prone proteins lose function during bulk storage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a microfluidics-based method for spinning liquid native silk into stable microcapsules.
  • To assess the storage capacity and stability of native silk within these micrococoons.
  • To evaluate the potential of native silk micrococoons for preserving the activity of sensitive biomolecules.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized microfluidics to spin liquid native silk from Bombyx mori silkworms into micron-scale capsules.
  • Controlled capsule geometry and protein shell characteristics (β-sheet content).
  • Tested the long-term storage of native silk and encapsulated functional antibodies within the micrococoons.

Main Results:

  • Successfully created silk micrococoons with controllable geometry and variable β-sheet content.
  • Demonstrated stable storage of liquid native silk for several months without loss of functionality.
  • Showcased effective encapsulation, storage, and release of functional antibodies, preserving their activity.

Conclusions:

  • Native silk micrococoons provide a stable platform for storing otherwise unstable liquid native silk.
  • These micrococoons effectively protect sensitive cargo proteins, such as antibodies, from aggregation and loss of function.
  • Native silk micrococoons represent a promising biomaterial for the long-term storage and controlled release of active biomolecules.