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Spider Silk: From Soluble Protein to Extraordinary Fiber
Author(s) -
Heim Markus,
Keerl David,
Scheibel Thomas
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.200803341
Subject(s) - spider silk , silk , spider , polymer science , spinning , fiber , synthetic fiber , nanotechnology , materials science , biology , polymer chemistry , composite material , ecology
On a silky thread : Spider silks have mechanical properties that outperform most natural and synthetic fibers. Classical spinning methods have failed to mimic the highly complex natural in‐vivo spinning process. Analyzing this process in combination with in‐vitro findings allows the development of biomimetic spinning devices for the technical production of silk fibers (see picture).Spider silks outrival natural and many synthetic fibers in terms of their material characteristics. In nature, the formation of a solid fiber from soluble spider silk proteins is the result of complex biochemical and physical processes that take place within specialized spinning organs. Herein, we present natural and artificial silk production processes, from gene transcription to silk protein processing and finally fiber assembly. In‐vivo and in‐vitro findings in the field of spider silk research are the basis for the design of new proteins and processing strategies, which will enable applications of these fascinating protein‐based materials in technical and medical sciences.