Structural characterization and functionalization of engineered spider silk films

Title data

Spieß, Kristina ; Wohlrab, Stefanie ; Scheibel, Thomas:
Structural characterization and functionalization of engineered spider silk films.
In: Soft Matter. Vol. 6 (2010) Issue 17 . - pp. 4168-4174.
ISSN 1744-6848
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/b927267d

Official URL:

Abstract in another language

Due to their biocompatibility, their extraordinary mechanical properties and the ability to be processed into various shapes, natural polymers like spider silk proteins are promising candidates for materials' applications. However, for many applications, additional specific functionalization is necessary. Here, we present recombinantly produced engineered spider silk proteins based on one dragline silk component of the European garden spider Araneus diadematus. The proteins have been engineered in order to incorporate cysteine which allows site-specific functionalization. These cysteine containing variant silk proteins are characterized in terms of structure, assembly and chemical reactivity in solution. Further, films composed of these proteins were structurally investigated by CD- and FTIR-spectroscopy. Comparison of the variants with the original cysteine-free silk protein revealed no apparent differences in solution and in the films. Functionalization of the thiol groups of these silk protein-based films with molecules such as nanogold, dyes, biotin and β-galactosidase demonstrates the potential of such films for a broad range of applications which opens up new possibilities in materials research based on silk polymers.

Further data

Item Type:	Article in a journal
Refereed:	Yes
Institutions of the University:	Faculties Faculties > Faculty of Engineering Science Faculties > Faculty of Engineering Science > Chair Biomaterials Faculties > Faculty of Engineering Science > Chair Biomaterials > Chair Biomaterials - Univ.-Prof. Dr. Thomas Scheibel Profile Fields > Advanced Fields > Advanced Materials Profile Fields > Advanced Fields > Molecular Biosciences Profile Fields > Advanced Fields > Polymer and Colloid Science Profile Fields > Emerging Fields > Food and Health Sciences Profile Fields Profile Fields > Advanced Fields Profile Fields > Emerging Fields
Result of work at the UBT:	Yes
DDC Subjects:	600 Technology, medicine, applied sciences > 620 Engineering
Date Deposited:	07 Jul 2015 08:12
Last Modified:	14 Feb 2023 12:41
URI:	https://eref.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/15791