Recent advances in silk fibroin-based biomaterials for tissue engineering applications.

Tissue engineering (TE) is a multidisciplinary area that offers innovative solutions to the challenges of organ repair and regeneration, with promising application potential. The core objective of TE is to construct a 3D spatial architecture made up of cells and biological scaffold materials, and the selection of suitable materials as scaffolds for cell growth is crucial. Silk fibroin (SF) is a macromolecular fibrous protein. Owing to its superior mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, SF has garnered interest as a scaffold material. In this review, the advantages of SF in terms of its application to TE are discussed. The structure, properties, and preparation techniques of SF are also evaluated. We introduced the unique processability of SF, as well as its potential in various modified forms for clinical tissue repair and regeneration. In addition, the review emphasizes recent advances in SF applications within the TE field, focusing on its potential for treating damage to a number of specific tissue types.