SuperSpiderSilkScaffolds: Exemplification of chemically decorated spider silk in wound healing

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Spider silk is tougher than steel or Kevlar used in bulletproof vests on a weight per weight basis. It is a biocompatible material that does not cause excess inflammation or a significant immune response making it ideal for use in new wound dressings and scaffolds for tissue regeneration. These could both accelerate healing and potentially reduce permanent scarring. Spider silks are biodegradable and sustainable natural materials composed of a number of different proteins that self-assemble to form fibers and films. Unlike silkworms, spiders cannot be farmed as they are cannibalistic and only recently have reliable recombinant methods been developed. Building on these, we have developed a method of producing spider silk in bacteria which carry antibiotics for keeping wounds free of infection and/or ligands to promote tissue regeneration. We wish to optimize the production of these new silks to promote faster wound healing especially for chronic sores and pressure ulcers as in diabetes.