Recent Advances in the Development and Use of Silk-Based Biomaterials
M.V. Rodionova, Alexey V. Solomonov, Anna Kozell, Leonid Chernyak, Ulyana Shimanovich
Abstract
Silk biomaterials are a class of materials derived from silk proteins obtained from various sources, ranging from domesticized silkworms to spiders and even underwater organisms. As substrates for biomaterial construction, silk proteins offer a wide array of unique properties and functionalities, including exceptional mechanical strength, biocompatibility, relative ease of chemical modifications, and many more. The field of silk biomaterials is rapidly evolving, driven by interdisciplinary research and technological innovations. Recent advances in basic science, particularly new insights into structural transitions in silk proteins, the physicochemical characteristics of silk-rich fluids, and the untangling of the high complexity of natural processing conditions developed through millions of years of evolution, offer a promising perspective for creating a new generation of improved materials capable of addressing various healthcare-related challenges. This review discusses and summarizes the latest advances in both basic science and technological developments in silk-based biomaterials, focusing specifically on how concepts from fundamental science and engineering technologies are implemented to fabricate biomaterials with tunable performance and customizable function. Further exploration and understanding of silk's properties at both the molecular and supramolecular levels will likely lead to promising novel applications in medicine, ultimately improving patient outcomes across various therapeutic areas.