Abstract 10.35 SILK A VERSATILE BIOMATERIAL FOR CLINICAL TRANSLATION

Abstract

Chitosan, alginate and silk are representatives of natural biomaterials that have been extensively investigated for future clinical applications throughout the last years. Especially silk aroused the interest of biomedical research since the end of the last century. Until now silk is one of the most investigated and characterized biomaterials for clinical translation. Auspicious mechanical and thermal properties regarding tensile strength, elasticity and heat resistance combined with a unique cyto- and biocompatibility makes silk to a promising material for biomedical applications. Most studies rely on silk gained from spiders of species Nephilla clavipes or silk worms of species Bombyx mori. Silk can either be collected directly from the arthropods labial gland or respectively at the opisthosoma located spinnerets of spiders. Due to a complete characterization of the ultra-structural compositions of silk protein structures a recombinant production of silk is feasible. Research groups from Europe, Asia and North America are currently working on possible clinical translation of silk based biografts. Results indicating that a use of silk based materials could be beneficial for the reconstruction of muscle tendon, cruciate ligament, meniscus or peripheral nerves. Especially the use for chronic wound dressings and peripheral nerve reconstruction seems to be advantageous for the plastic and reconstructive surgery. Beside the use as biografts for possible future surgical approaches the use of single recombinant or non- recombinant silk fibers as pharmaceutical vectors for drug delivery e.g. charged with antibiotics have been discussed. This review gives a brief overview of the current state of the art in silk grafting and the ongoing biomaterial research for future clinical translation.