Researchers have now been able to introduce artificial spider silk, with the cloth not only replicating the strength of actual silk but also showcasing advanced qualities that can help in wound recovery as well being used for treating joint injuries.
Harness the Power of Protein
The classic Halloween decor element of polyester spider webs may be iconic, but another application of spider silk could be much more useful to humanity. Recently scientists have created a fake form of this amazing substance, only with an interesting twist — not for terrifying displays but treatment of wounds or joint injuries.
This work, using spider silk as a glue and substrate to grow cell cultures in vitro, had its breakthrough unmatched until today due to the “stickiness” properties of spider silks. It is one of the most durable natural materials in the world and it is stronger than steel for its size. But getting natural spider silk has proven a tough task, since spiders are solitary and prone to cannibalism so breeding them like silkworms has been difficult. Genetic engineering is the answer for that.
Researchers have thus resorted to microbes as the production source of spider silk proteins. They have changed the sequence of natural proteins to produce an artificial silk that is readily spinnable, but remains stable. The additional placement of peptides, parallel to those found in the amide polypeptide amino acid series, assist direct assembly of the synthetic silk proteins into an orderly formation as well as prevent aggregates from growing erroneously, thereby providing a turn enhanced yield.
Weaving a Healthier Future
Given the artificial silk proteins, they then relied on a neat trick to convert these into active fibers. By using a combination of tiny needles with hollow cores on the nozzle of a 3D printer, they could feed strands of the protein solution through air and weave them into a slightly thicker thread. A spider spins its web this way.setEnabled = NO.
This is magic again, then; the weaving and manufacturing of the prototype healing dressings with these artificial silk fibers. The scientists tested these bandages on mice that had osteoarthritis (a common type of arthritis) and chronic diabetic wounds. And what the researchers found was remarkable: their altered dressings had bested — or at least essentially tied — traditional bandages, dramatically speeding up wound healing and reducing local swelling.
These “silk” bandages owe their success to some remarkable properties. Because they are biocompatible — safe for the body to absorb — and made of biodegradable materials, these do not have to be removed later. Moreover, the scientists could easily infuse drug treatments into their dressings to make them even better at healing.
Conclusion
This engineered spider silk is a significant breakthrough and it demonstrates the power of biotechnology, which could change medicine. Using this unique material, scientists have developed a treatment that has potential to fix everything from torn cartilage (caused by knee injuries) or degenerative joint disease to burns and ulcers. As research progresses, we will undoubtably see more creative uses for this game-changing technology that will provide an even brighter tomorrow for us all.
