| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
MS&T23: Materials Science & Technology
|
| Symposium
|
Next Generation Biomaterials
|
| Presentation Title |
Biofabrication Using Spider Silk Proteins |
| Author(s) |
Thomas Scheibel |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Thomas Scheibel |
| Abstract Scope |
Spider silk is a protein fiber with excellent mechanical properties such as strength and toughness. We have developed recombinant spider silk-based sheets and scaffolds that prevent adherence of microbes could be developed. Without adherence biofilm formation cannot occur, which lowers the frequency of infections in surgical patients. However, the spider silk sheets and scaffolds do not kill any cells. The designed spider silk scaffolds are even bio selective, meaning that this designer silk repels microbes while allowing human cell attachment and proliferation. Spider silk hydrogels can be employed as bioinks for biofabrication (i.e. 3D bioprinting together with cells). Their elastic behavior dominates over the viscous behavior over the whole angular frequency range with a low viscosity flow behavior and good form stability. Cell-loaded spider silk constructs can be easily printed without the need of additional cross-linkers or thickeners for mechanical stabilization. Encapsulated cells show good viability in spider silk hydrogels. |