Silk-Based Biopolymers Promise Extensive Biomedical Applications in Tissue Engineering, Drug Delivery, and Biomems Publisher



Farahani A¹ ; Zareihanzaki A² ; Abedi HR³ ; Daryoush S¹ ; Ragheb ZD³ ; Mianabadi F⁴ ; Shahparvar S² ; Akrami M⁵ ; Mostafavi E^{6, 7} ; Khanbareh H⁸ ; Nezami FR⁹
Source: Journal of Polymers and the Environment Published:2023

Abstract

As an FDA-approved biopolymer, silk has been contemplated for a wide range of applications based on its unique merits, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and piezoelectricity. As silk, in both crystalline structure and amorphous state, exhibits unique physical, mechanical, and biological properties (promoting cell migration, differentiation, growth, and protein-surface interaction), it is fruitful to understand its potential applications. Sensors, actuators, and drug delivery systems are the best in case. As such, the current effort first introduces silk fibroin (SF) and delineates its characteristics. It then explores the extensive use of this biomaterial in tissue engineering approaches, in addition to its biosensor and electro-active wearable bioelectronic application. To this end, the SF application in cardiovascular, skin, cartilage, and drug delivery systems for cancer therapy and wound healing was studied precisely. Compositing any type of other variables to induce a specific application or improve any SF barriers, namely its hydrophobicity, poor electrical conductivity, or tuning its mechanical properties, especially in tissue engineering applications, has also been discussed wherever it is deemed informative. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.