Thermoplastic Molding of Silk-Curcumin Sustainable Composite Materials with Antibacterial Properties.

Silk fibroin (SF) is a natural protein generated from the silkworm cocoons. It is useful for many different material applications. Versatile aqueous process engineering options can be used to support the morphological and structural modifications of silk materials related to tailored physical, chemical, and biological properties.

Charge-Modulated Accessibility of Tyrosine Residues for Silk-Elastin Copolymer Cross-Linking.

The modulation of reaction kinetics with horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-catalyzed cross-linking of proteins remains a useful strategy to modulate hydrogel formation. Here, we demonstrate that the presence of positively charged lysines in silk-elastin-like polymers impacts the thermal transition temperature of these proteins, while the location in the primary sequence modulates the reactivity of the tyrosines. The positively charged lysine side chains decreased π-π interactions among the tyrosines and reduced the rate of formation and number of HRP-mediated dityrosine bonds, dependent on the proximity of the charged group to the tyrosine.

Fast and reversible crosslinking of a silk elastin-like polymer.

Elastin-like polymers (ELPs) and their chimeric subfamily the silk elastin-like polymers (SELPs) exhibit a lower critical solvation temperature (LCST) behavior in water which has been extensively studied from theoretical, computational and experimental perspectives. The inclusion of silk domains in the backbone of the ELPs effects the molecular dynamics of the elastin-like domains in response to increased temperature above its transition temperature and confers gelation ability. This response has been studied in terms of initial and long-term changes in structures, however, intermediate transition states have been less investigated.

In Situ 3D Printing: Opportunities with Silk Inks.

In situ 3D printing is an emerging technique designed for patient-specific needs and performed directly in the patient's tissues in the operating room. While this technology has progressed rapidly, several improvements are needed to push it forward for widespread utility, including ink formulations and optimization for in situ context. Silk fibroin inks emerge as a viable option due to the diverse range of formulations, aqueous processability, robust and tunable mechanical properties, and self-assembly via biophysical adsorption to avoid exogenous chemical or photochemical sensitizer additives, among other features.

Bioinspired Preservation of Natural Killer Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy.

The ability to cryopreserve natural killer (NK) cells has a significant potential in modern cancer immunotherapy. Current cryopreservation protocols cause deterioration in NK cell viability and functionality. This work reports the preservation of human cytokine-activated NK cell viability and function following cryopreservation using a cocktail of biocompatible bioinspired cryoprotectants (i.

Pharmaceutical Approaches to HIV Treatment and Prevention.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection continues to pose a major infectious disease threat worldwide. It is characterized by the depletion of CD4 T cells, persistent immune activation, and increased susceptibility to secondary infections. Advances in the development of antiretroviral drugs and combination antiretroviral therapy have resulted in a remarkable reduction in HIV-associated morbidity and mortality.

Multicolor T-Ray Imaging Using Multispectral Metamaterials.

Recent progress in ultrafast spectroscopy and semiconductor technology is enabling unique applications in screening, detection, and diagnostics in the Terahertz (T-ray) regime. The promise of efficaciously operation in this spectral region is tempered by the lack of devices that can spectrally analyze samples at sufficient temporal and spatial resolution. Real-time, multispectral T-ray (Mul-T) imaging is reported by designing and demonstrating hyperspectral metamaterial focal plane array (MM-FPA) interfaces allowing multiband (and individually tunable) responses without compromising on the pixel size.

Precise Protein Photolithography (P): High Performance Biopatterning Using Silk Fibroin Light Chain as the Resist.

Precise patterning of biomaterials has widespread applications, including drug release, degradable implants, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Patterning of protein-based microstructures using UV-photolithography has been demonstrated using protein as the resist material. The Achilles heel of existing protein-based biophotoresists is the inevitable wide molecular weight distribution during the protein extraction/regeneration process, hindering their practical uses in the semiconductor industry where reliability and repeatability are paramount.

Genome-wide analysis reveals conserved transcriptional responses downstream of resting potential change in Xenopus embryos, axolotl regeneration, and human mesenchymal cell differentiation.

Endogenous bioelectric signaling via changes in cellular resting potential (V mem) is a key regulator of patterning during regeneration and embryogenesis in numerous model systems. Depolarization of V mem has been functionally implicated in dedifferentiation, tumorigenesis, anatomical re-specification, and appendage regeneration. However, no unbiased analyses have been performed to understand genome-wide transcriptional responses to V mem change in vivo.

Silk Fibroin as Edible Coating for Perishable Food Preservation.

The regeneration of structural biopolymers into micelles or nanoparticles suspended in water has enabled the design of new materials with unique and compelling properties that can serve at the interface between the biotic and the abiotic worlds. In this study, we leveraged silk fibroin quintessential properties (i.e.

Rapid fabrication of silk films with controlled architectures via electrogelation.

Current methods to produce silk films include casting and spin coating. Here we introduce a new method for the fabrication of silk films: electrogelation. Through use of a closed-loop anode, films with high surface smoothness and optical transparency are produced.