A5066838842- Silk-based biomaterials and applications
- Silkworms and Sericulture Research
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Adhesion, Friction, and Surface Interactions
- Biochemical and Structural Characterization
- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
- Shoulder Injury and Treatment
- Advanced Materials and Mechanics
- Surface Modification and Superhydrophobicity
- Tendon Structure and Treatment
- Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation
- Shoulder and Clavicle Injuries
- Viral Infectious Diseases and Gene Expression in Insects
- Nanofabrication and Lithography Techniques
- Immunotoxicology and immune responses
- Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Studies
- Ubiquitin and proteasome pathways
- Nanotechnology research and applications
- Collagen: Extraction and Characterization
- Electron and X-Ray Spectroscopy Techniques
- Dental Radiography and Imaging
- Clinical Laboratory Practices and Quality Control
University of Sheffield
2016-2025
NOAA National Ocean Service
2024
NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science
2024
Materials Science & Engineering
2021
University of Oxford
2006-2016
Science Oxford
2010
Fudan University
2009
Brigham and Women's Hospital
2007
Harvard University
2007
Technische Universität Berlin
1995
Spider silks are among the toughest known materials and thus provide models for renewable, biodegradable, sustainable biopolymers. However, entirety of their diversity still remains elusive, that exceed performance limits industrial fibers constantly being found. We obtained transcriptome assemblies from 1098 species spiders to comprehensively catalog silk gene sequences measured mechanical, thermal, structural, hydration properties dragline 446 species. The combination these protein...
Lepidopteran silks number in the thousands and display a vast diversity of structures, properties, industrial potential. To map this remarkable biochemical diversity, we present an identification screening method based on infrared spectra native silk feedstock cocoons. Multivariate analysis over 1214 obtained from 35 species allowed us to group into distinct hierarchies classification that agrees well with current phylogenetic data taxonomies. This approach also provides information relative...
Abstract Naturally spun silks generate fibres with unique properties, including strength, elasticity and biocompatibility. Here we describe a microfluidics-based strategy to spin liquid native silk, obtained directly from the silk gland of Bombyx mori silkworms, into micron-scale capsules controllable geometry variable levels intermolecular β-sheet content in their protein shells. We demonstrate that such micrococoons can store internally otherwise highly unstable for several months without...
Abstract Fibroins’ transition from liquid to solid is fundamental spinning and underpins the impressive native properties of silk. Herein, we establish a fibroin heavy chain fold for Silk-I polymorph, which could be relevant other similar proteins, explains mechanistically liquid-to-solid this silk, driven by pH reduction flow stress. Combining spectroscopy modelling propose that (FibH) silkworm, Bombyx mori , adopts newly reported β-solenoid structure. Similarly, using rheology FibH...
Abstract The remarkable toughness (>70 MJ m −3 ) of silkworm silk is largely attributed to its hierarchically arranged nanofibrillar nanostructure. Recreating such tough fibers through artificial spinning often challenging, in part because degummed, dissolved drastically different the unspun native feedstock found gland. present work demonstrates a method dissolve without degumming produce solution containing undegraded fibroin and sericin. This exhibits liquid‐liquid phase separation...
It is shown that the work required to produce natural silk fibers at least ten times less than a classic synthetic polymer, yet still nature produces fiber with superior mechanical properties. The concept of polymer crystallization (re)defined and silks are classed as new nanocomposite state biological matter called aquamelts. Detailed facts importance specialist readers published "Supporting Information". Such documents peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They made available...
Whilst much is known about the properties of silks, means by which native silk feedstocks are spun still represent a gap in our knowledge. Rheology germane to an understanding natural spinning process. Yet, overview literature reveals subtle limitations and inconsistencies between studies, has been largely attributed sample-to-sample variation when testing these exquisitely flow-sensitive materials. This ambiguity prevented reliable, consistent inferences from standard polymer rheology...
At the heart of 'copying from Nature' lies implied assumptions that, firstly, researchers understand what they propose to copy and secondly, industrialists have found ways successfully integrate many requirements necessary for a reliable bio-mimetic copying process. Here we explore traits native silks examine assertions associated with man-made copies focusing on question: why do various claims matter, is critical evaluation appropriate special themed issue biomimetic soft matter?
Silks are remarkable materials with desirable mechanical properties, yet the fine details of natural production remain elusive and subsequently inaccessible to biomimetic strategies. Improved knowledge processes could therefore unlock development a host bio inspired fibre spinning systems. Here, we use Chinese silkworm Bombyx mori review pressure requirements for discuss limits biological extrusion domain. This provides target finite element analysis flow silk proteins, aim bringing...
Controlled reeling is a powerful tool to investigate the details of silk processing. However, consistent forced silkworms hindered by significant degree behaviorally induced variation caused animal. This paper proposes silkworm paralysis as novel method control animal and thus in vivo spinning conditions. Using these methods, we achieve low forces during collection over 500 m individual fiber while monitoring filament variability, morphology, properties. Novel techniques measure irregular...
Silk's desirable properties originate from the development of a multiscale hierarchical structure produced during spinning, but little is known regarding origin micro and nano fibrils that are consistent prominent features spun fibres. This raises important question: can shearing alone generate these filaments, or further input control by physiology/morphology silk duct required? Combining confocal microscopy with rheology provides unique insights into direct connection between applied shear...
Natural silk spinning offers several advantages over the synthetic fiber spinning, although underlying mechanisms of this process are yet to be fully elucidated. Silkworm silks, specifically B. mori, comprise two main proteins: fibroin, which forms fiber, and sericin, a coextruded coating that acts as matrix in resulting nonwoven composite cocoon. To date, most studies have focused on fibroin's self-assembly gelation, with influence sericin during receiving little no attention. This study...
Silks are a family of semi-crystalline structural materials, spun naturally by insects, spiders and even crustaceans. Compared to the characteristic β-sheet crystalline structure in silks, non-crystalline its composition deserves more attention as it is equally critical filaments' high toughness strength. Here we further unravel structure-property relationship silks using Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA). This technique allows us examine most important relaxation event disordered...
Silk's outstanding mechanical properties and energy efficient solidification mechanisms provide inspiration for biomaterial self-assembly as well offering a diverse platform of materials suitable many biotechnology applications. Experiments now reveal that the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori secretes its silk in practically "unspun" state retains much solvent water exhibits surprisingly low degree molecular order (β-sheet crystallinity) compared to found fully formed matured fiber. These new...
The mechanism by which native silk feedstocks are converted to solid fibres in nature has attracted much interest. To address this question, the present work used rheology investigate gelation of
Whilst flow is the basis for silk fibre formation, subtle changes in a feedstocks' chemical environment may serve to increase both energetic efficiency and control hierarchical structure development during spinning. Despite role of pH being largely understood, influence metal ions not, only inferred by correlative work observations. Through combination rheology microscopy, we provide causative study how most abundant feedstock, Ca2+ K+, affect its properties structure. Our results show that...
Abstract Recombinant spider silk proteins (spidroins) have multiple potential applications in development of novel biomaterials, but their multimodal and aggregation-prone nature complicated production straightforward applications. Here, we report that recombinant miniature spidroins, importantly also the N-terminal domain (NT) on its own, rapidly form self-supporting transparent hydrogels at 37 °C. The gelation is caused by NT α-helix to β-sheet conversion formation amyloid-like fibrils,...