Scientists Copy Silkworms to Spin Nanofibers NanoLetters
By Michael Greenwood, M.Sc.Feb 22 2023Reviewed by Megan Craig, M.Sc. Silk is a protein fiber produced naturally by insect larvae for the purpose of manufacturing a cocoon, with some of the best-known silk obtained from the mulberry silkworm. The new approach does not require as much equipment as conventional methods and could have applications in wound dressings.
In this new research, the silk extrusion mechanism of silkworm larvae was more closely mimicked in the lab using a method termed micro-adhesion guided spinning. Consistent micro and nanofibers were produced using this method, opening us the future biomedical applications of nanofibers. How are Silk Fibers Manufactured? Semiconductors eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a free copy Most silk fiber spinning techniques utilize externally provided forces, such as flowing air, pressure, or electrostatic, to feed liquid silk protein through one or many fine needles to generate pre-fibers, which are solidified either by cooling or the addition or removal of solvents.
MAG spinning innovatively utilizes an array of needles that press into a plate coated in a compatible array of wells containing a capillary-controlled quantity of protein. In this manner, the thickness of silk fibers generated can be fine-tuned by tailoring the needle and well size, as well as other parameters such as draw speed and needle contact degree.
What are the Clinical Applications of Silk Nanofibers? Interestingly, Ni et al. discuss this technique of silk fabric generation as a simple and convenient method of producing and applying sterile, biocompatible, and easily washed-away nanofiber-based wound dressings. Within the silk nanofiber the fibroin chains form the core and provide structure, while sericin weaves around it to provide a flexible coating. Specially tailored wound dressings that apply a pure sericin layer directly to the skin followed by a protective fibroin layer have been developed and show some improvement over mixed fabrics, with even greater biocompatibility, indicated by lower local inflammatory cytokine response when applied to the skin.
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