Chemical modification and biosynthesis of silk-like polymers

Publication date: June 2019Source: Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering, Volume 24Author(s): Takuya Katashima, Ali D Malay, Keiji NumataSilk fibers show high toughness, ductility, biocompatibility, and biodegradability due to their high-order structure. Silk materials are not limited to native fibers and also include regenerated silk materials, such as chemically modified silk materials, composite materials, and silk-inspired artificial materials synthesized through chemoenzymatic polymerization. Here, we present the concepts and methodologies associated with the different types of silk-based materials for a wide range of fields including bioengineering and medicine and explore their versatile functionality and physical properties related to their primary and secondary structures. In this review, we will reveal the characteristics of silk materials as well as research prospects for the future.Graphical abstract

Source: Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering - March 4, 2019 Category: Chemistry Source Type: research