Hybrid biological macromolecules spider-silk fibroin optical patches for efficient wound healing

Efforts toward developing wound dressings that effectively monitor healing have become at the forefront of the field of wound healing. However, monofunctionality, biotoxicity, and passive therapy constrain wound patches. Herein, a hypoallergenic wound patch integrating moisture monitoring, motion sensing and electrical stimulation for wound healing is presented. Microstructured patches composed of silk proteins and spider silk proteins (MIS) fused together were structurally transformed and crosslinked by spin-coating a mixture of silk proteins (SFs) and spider silk proteins (SPs) with water-soluble polyurethane (PU), creating MIS patches with microstructures by hot embossing. This is attributed to stable SF-SP hydrogen bonding, which provides an extremely rapid response to humidity and endows the patch with superior motion sensing tensile properties. Notably, β-folding and α-helical structures confer SP toughness and strength, producing electrical charges under electrical stimulation occurring with motor stretching, thereby enabling electrical stimulation for quicker wound healing. Specifically, The MIS is sensitive to changes in humidity, which is reflected in changes in the colour of its surface patches. Also it enhances the strength of the electrical stimulation signal more effectively as the thickness of the film layer increases. These characteristics indicate the high potential of the MIS for wound management.