New Opportunities for an Ancient Material

Spiders and silkworms generate silk protein fibers that embody strength and beauty. Orb webs are fascinating feats of bioengineering in nature, displaying magnificent architectures while providing essential survival utility for spiders. The unusual combination of high strength and extensibility is a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2010-07, Vol.329 (5991), p.528-531
Main Authors:	Omenetto, Fiorenzo G, Kaplan, David L
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Amino acids Animals Applied sciences Araneae Biochemistry Biocompatible Materials Bioengineering Biomimetic Materials Bombyx - genetics Bombyx - metabolism Bombyx mori Cloning, Molecular Exact sciences and technology Fibers and threads Forms of application and semi-finished materials Genetic Engineering Green chemistry Material properties Materials Materials science Mechanical Phenomena Organisms, Genetically Modified Polymer industry, paints, wood Proteins Recombinant Proteins - chemistry Recombinant Proteins - metabolism REVIEW Sericulture Silk Silk - chemistry Silk - genetics Silk - metabolism Silk glands Spiders Spiders - genetics Spiders - metabolism Technology of polymers Textiles
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Summary:	Spiders and silkworms generate silk protein fibers that embody strength and beauty. Orb webs are fascinating feats of bioengineering in nature, displaying magnificent architectures while providing essential survival utility for spiders. The unusual combination of high strength and extensibility is a characteristic unavailable to date in synthetic materials yet is attained in nature with a relatively simple protein processed from water. This biological template suggests new directions to emulate in the pursuit of new high-performance, multifunctional materials generated with a green chemistry and processing approach. These bio-inspired and high-technology materials can lead to multifunctional material platforms that integrate with living systems for medical materials and a host of other applications.
ISSN:	0036-8075 1095-9203