Spontaneous Hollow Coacervate Transition of Silk Fibroin via Dilution and Its Transition to Microcapsules

Biomacromolecules, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 10, 2025

Polymeric microcapsules are useful for drug delivery, microreactors, and cargo transport, but traditional fabrication methods require complex processes harsh conditions. Coacervates, formed by liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS), offer a promising alternative microcapsule fabrication. Recent studies have shown that coacervates can spontaneously form hollow cavities under specific Here, we investigate the spontaneous coacervate transition of silk fibroin (SF). SF coacervates, induced mixing with dextran, calcium ions, copper to upon dilution. Adding ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) further transforms them into vesicle-like capsule which solidify microcapsules. As proof-of-concept, successfully loaded high-molecular-weight polymer cavity bioactive enzyme layer simply solution. Our results demonstrate facile, organic-solvent-free approach fabricating SF-based provide insight mechanisms driving formation.

Language: Английский

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The mechanobiology of biomolecular condensates

Biophysics Reviews, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(1)

Published: March 1, 2025

The central goal of mechanobiology is to understand how the mechanical forces and material properties organelles, cells, tissues influence biological processes functions. Since first description biomolecular condensates, it was hypothesized that they obtain are tuned their functions inside cells. Thus, represent an intriguing playground for mechanobiology. idea condensates exhibit diverse adaptive highlights need different states respond external whether these responses linked physiological roles within cell. For example, liquids buffer dissipate, while solids store transmit stress, relaxation time a viscoelastic can act as frequency filter. Hence, liquid-solid transition condensate in force transmission pathway determine signals transduced in-between affecting differentiation, neuronal network dynamics, behavior stimuli. Here, we review our current understanding molecular drivers rigidity phase transitions set forth complex cellular environment. We will then summarize technical advancements were necessary insights into rich fascinating finally, highlight recent examples connection specific Our provide comprehensive summary field on cells harness regulate mechanics achieve

Language: Английский

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Sustainable Spinning of Artificial Spider Silk Fibers with Excellent Toughness and Inherent Potential for Functionalization

Advanced Functional Materials, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 26, 2024

Abstract Despite impressive progress in the field, there are still several major bottlenecks producing fibers from recombinantly produced spider‐silk‐like proteins to replicate extraordinary mechanical properties of spider ampullate silk. The conventional artificial fiber spinning processes rely primarily on organic solvents coagulate into and require complex post‐treatments obtain with valuable properties. This is due challenges obtaining soluble silk proteins, but also because native process leading hierarchical organization not fully understood hard a manner applicable industrial settings. Here, recombinant spider‐silk fusion efficiently processed as‐spun toughness modulus 120 MJ m −3 extensibility 255% using solely aqueous solutions. assemble similar that reported for silk: they phase separate induced by salting out, followed alignment secondary structure transition triggered shear forces dehydration. Finally, design enables straightforward functionalization under mild all‐aqueous conditions via simple biomolecular click reaction both pre‐ post‐spinning.

Language: Английский

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Recombinant silk protein condensates show widely different properties depending on sample background

Journal of Materials Chemistry B, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(46), P. 11953 - 11967

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Background molecules such as DNA affect the formation and properties of recombinant spider silk protein condensates.

Language: Английский

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