Spider silk-based structural proteins as tough, biodegradable, and sustainable polymers

Spider silk has garnered significant attention across diverse research fields because of its remarkable physical and biological properties, which have driven extensive efforts to develop materials and fabrication processes that replicate its unique characteristics. This review focuses on the structure of silk fibers and the mechanisms that underlie their formation, with an emphasis on the hierarchical organization that contributes to their outstanding performance. Additionally, the biodegradability of silk proteins and their degradation products are discussed, and their potential for sustainable material design are highlighted.