Calling the artificial spider silk strong, stable and easily spun, the researchers added that the material is also biocompatible and biodegradable and can reportedly outperform steel in terms of tensile strength.

Source: ACS Nano

To develop the material, the researchers used a modified protein sequence of spider silk, produced using microbial organisms, combined with special peptides that were designed according to a pattern found in amyloid polypeptides, which is a type of protein capable of forming organized structures.

“The new peptides, following a pattern found in the protein sequence of amyloid polypeptides, helped the artificial silk proteins form an orderly structure when folded and prevented them from sticking together in solution, increasing their yield,” the researchers explained.

The team then employed a 3D printer outfitted with assorted tiny, hollow needles through which the protein solution was drawn to create thin strands in the air. The strands were subsequently spun together to create a thicker fiber, in a process that mimics a spider spinning a web.

Once spun, the artificial silk fibers were woven into experimental, protein-based wound dressings, which were then applied to mice with osteoarthritis and diabetes-related chronic wounds.

The spider-silk inspired bandages, which also featured medications to expedite wound healing, were determined to boost wound healing when compared to traditional bandages.

Mice with osteoarthritis treated with the protein-based bandages reportedly exhibited reduced swelling as well as improved tissue repair after two weeks. Likewise, diabetic mice with skin lesions also exhibited significant wound healing within sixteen days of using the spider-silk inspired bandages.

An article detailing the spider-silk inspired bandages, “Overexpressed Artificial Spidroin Based Microneedle Spinneret for 3D Air Spinning of Hybrid Spider Silk," appears in the journal ACS Nano.