Microstructured silk fiber scaffolds with enhanced stretchability.

ABSTRACT: Despite extensive research, current methods for creating three-dimensional (3D) silk fibroin (SF) scaffolds lack control over molecular rearrangement, particularly in the formation of β-sheet nanocrystals that severely embrittle SF, as well as hierarchical fiber organization at both micro- and macroscale. Here, we introduce a fabrication process based on electrowriting of aqueous SF solutions followed by post-processing using an aqueous solution of sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH₂PO₄). This approach enables gelation of SF chains via controlled β-sheet formation and partial conservation of compliant random coil structures. Moreover, this process allows for precise architecture control in microfiber scaffolds, enabling the creation of 3D flat and tubular macro-g

SUBMITTER: Viola M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11372760 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature