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Microfluidic Dry-spinning and Characterization of Regenerated Silk Fibroin Fibers
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Transparent, Nanostructured Silk Fibroin Hydrogels with Tunable Mechanical Properties
Alexander N Mitropoulos1, Benedetto Marelli2, Chiara E Ghezzi2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering and §Department of Physics, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|January 12, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed transparent silk hydrogels using nanostructuring for tissue engineering. These biocompatible materials support cell growth and show promise for applications like corneal tissue regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Silk fibroin from Bombyx mori is versatile for biomaterials.
- Current silk fibroin hydrogels lack transparency, limiting applications.
- Transparent silk films are limited by hydration and cell attachment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop transparent silk hydrogels.
- To enable applications requiring optical transparency and biocompatibility.
- To engineer silk fibroin for improved tissue regeneration scaffolds.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of transparent silk hydrogels via nanostructuring.
- Inducing amorphous to crystalline transition using organic solvents.
- Modulating mechanical properties with controlled metal ion concentration.
Main Results:
- Achieved transparent silk hydrogels through nanostructure formation.
- Demonstrated biocompatibility with human dermal fibroblasts and cornea epithelial cells.
- Developed silk hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties within physiological ranges.
Conclusions:
- Nanostructured silk fibroin hydrogels offer transparency and biocompatibility.
- These hydrogels support cell attachment, proliferation, and tissue formation.
- Potential for advanced applications in corneal tissue engineering and beyond.
