Functionalized genetic engineered silk-based biomaterials and their applications.

Author: Lei ZHANG ¹ ; Zhonghuai XIANG ¹ ; Gaichao ZHAO ¹ ; Zonghui WU ² ; Hongjuan CUI ¹
Author Information

1. State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China.
2. Hospital of Southwest University, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: biomaterials; biomedicine; functionalization; genetic engineering; silk protein
MeSH: Biocompatible Materials; Genetic Engineering; Hydrogels; Silk
From: Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2019;35(6):956-971
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Silk-based biomaterials are featured with excellent mechanical properties, good biocompatibility and biodegradability, which contribute to their potential applications in biomedical field. The current recognition of silk protein materials in structure and function provides a basic theory for the transformation of silk protein into new types of biomaterials. In addition, exogenous sequences encoding new peptide or structural domain can be inserted into the maternal gene sequences encoding silk proteins through genetic engineering technology to synthesize novel silk-based biomaterials with unique functions. This review summarizes the current trend and development perspective of genetically engineered functional silk-based materials for biomedical applications.