Microscopic considerations for optimizing silk biomaterials.

Silk is an especially appealing biomaterial due to its adaptable mechanical properties, allowing it to be used in a wide range of tissue engineering applications. However, processing conditions play a critical role in determining silk's mechanical properties, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. While bulk properties of silk have been widely explored, focusing on microscopic features is becoming increasingly important, as modifications at this scale largely affect the resulting regenerative properties of the biomaterial. Structural changes caused by the silk source, extraction, and processing should be carefully considered, as they will affect the biocompatibility and degradability of silk fibroin. Processing techniques and physical properties of silk that make it an ideal material for many biomedical applications will be explored. This article is categorized under: Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanotechnology in Tissue Repair and Replacement Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants.