Journal article
With great structure comes great functionality: Understanding and emulating spider silk
Journal of Materials Research, Vol.30(1), pp.108-120
2015
Abstract
The overarching aim of biomimetic approaches to materials synthesis is to mimic simultaneously the structure and function of a natural material, in such a way that these functional properties can be systematically tailored and optimized. In the case of synthetic spider silk fibers, to date functionalities have largely focused on mechanical properties. A rapidly expanding body of literature documents this work, building on the emerging knowledge of structure-function relationships in native spider silks, and the spinning processes used to create them. Here, we describe some of the benchmark achievements reported until now, with a focus on the last five years. Progress in protein synthesis, notably the expression on full-size spidroins, has driven substantial improvements in synthetic spider silk performance. Spinning technology, however, lags behind and is a major limiting factor in biomimetic production. We also discuss applications for synthetic silk that primarily capitalize on its nonmechanical attributes, and that exploit the remarkable range of structures that can be formed from a synthetic silk feedstock.
Details
- Title
- With great structure comes great functionality: Understanding and emulating spider silk
- Authors
- Cameron P Brown (Author) - University of Oxford, United KingdomAlessandra Whaite (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringJennifer M MacLeod (Author) - Boulevard Lionel-Boulet, CanadaJoanne Macdonald (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringFederico Rosei (Author) - McGill University, Canada
- Publication details
- Journal of Materials Research, Vol.30(1), pp.108-120
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Date published
- 2015
- DOI
- 10.1557/jmr.2014.365
- ISSN
- 0884-2914
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2015 Materials Research Society. The published version is reproduced here in accordance with the publishers copyright policy. The definitive version is available from http://dx.doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2014.365
- Organisation Unit
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering; School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99448874002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
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