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Blamires SJ, Nobbs M, Martens PJ, Tso IM, Chuang WT, Chang CK, Sheu HS. Multiscale mechanisms of nutritionally induced property variation in spider silks. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192005. [PMID: 29390013 PMCID: PMC5794138 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Variability in spider major ampullate (MA) silk properties at different scales has proven difficult to determine and remains an obstacle to the development of synthetic fibers mimicking MA silk performance. A multitude of techniques may be used to measure multiscale aspects of silk properties. Here we fed five species of Araneoid spider solutions that either contained protein or were protein deprived and performed silk tensile tests, small and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS), amino acid composition analyses, and silk gene expression analyses, to resolve persistent questions about how nutrient deprivation induces variations in MA silk mechanical properties across scales. Our analyses found that the properties of each spider's silk varied differently in response to variations in their protein intake. We found changes in the crystalline and non-crystalline nanostructures to play specific roles in inducing the property variations we found. Across treatment MaSp expression patterns differed in each of the five species. We found that in most species MaSp expression and amino acid composition variations did not conform with our predictions based on a traditional MaSp expression model. In general, changes to the silk's alanine and proline compositions influenced the alignment of the proteins within the silk's amorphous region, which influenced silk extensibility and toughness. Variations in structural alignment in the crystalline and non-crystalline regions influenced ultimate strength independent of genetic expression. Our study provides the deepest insights thus far into the mechanisms of how MA silk properties vary from gene expression to nanostructure formations to fiber mechanics. Such knowledge is imperative for promoting the production of synthetic silk fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean J. Blamires
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences D26, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Madeleine Nobbs
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences D26, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Penny J. Martens
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Samuels Building F25, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - I-Min Tso
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | | | - Chung-Kai Chang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Centre, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Hwo-Shuenn Sheu
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Centre, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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2
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Montero de Espinosa L, Meesorn W, Moatsou D, Weder C. Bioinspired Polymer Systems with Stimuli-Responsive Mechanical Properties. Chem Rev 2017; 117:12851-12892. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.7b00168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Worarin Meesorn
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Dafni Moatsou
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Weder
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
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3
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Vacogne CD, Schopferer M, Schlaad H. Physical Gelation of α-Helical Copolypeptides. Biomacromolecules 2016; 17:2384-91. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.6b00427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte D. Vacogne
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Colloid Chemistry, Research Campus Golm, 14424 Potsdam, Germany
| | | | - Helmut Schlaad
- University of Potsdam, Institute of Chemistry, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
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4
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Peña JA, Gutiérrez SJ, Villamil JC, Agudelo NA, Pérez LD. Policaprolactone/polyvinylpyrrolidone/siloxane hybrid materials: Synthesis and in vitro delivery of diclofenac and biocompatibility with periodontal ligament fibroblasts. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2015; 58:60-9. [PMID: 26478287 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2015.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Revised: 07/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, we report the synthesis of polycaprolactone (PCL) based hybrid materials containing hydrophilic domains composed of N-vinylpyrrolidone (VP), and γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS). The hybrid materials were obtained by RAFT copolymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone and MPS using a pre-formed dixanthate-end-functionalized PCL as macro-chain transfer agent, followed by a post-reaction crosslinking step. The composition of the samples was determined by elemental and thermogravimetric analyses. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction indicated that the crystallinity of PCL decreases in the presence of the hydrophilic domains. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the samples present an interconnected porous structure on the swelling. Compared to PCL, the hybrid materials presented low water contact angle values and higher elastic modulus. These materials showed controlled release of diclofenac, and biocompatibility with human periodontal ligament fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A Peña
- Departamento de Química, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá D.C., Colombia
| | - Sandra J Gutiérrez
- Centro de investigaciones Odontológicas, Facultad de Odontología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Jean C Villamil
- Centro de investigaciones Odontológicas, Facultad de Odontología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - León D Pérez
- Grupo de Macromoléculas, Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 45 No 26-85, edificio 451 of. 449, Bogotá D.C. Colombia.
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Hendrich M, Lewerdomski L, Vana P. Biomimetic triblock and multiblock copolymers containing l
-Phenylalanine moieties showing healing and enhanced mechanical properties. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/pola.27753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hendrich
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen; Tammannstr 6 D-37077 Göttingen Germany
| | - Lars Lewerdomski
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen; Tammannstr 6 D-37077 Göttingen Germany
| | - Philipp Vana
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen; Tammannstr 6 D-37077 Göttingen Germany
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6
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Schuetz JH, Wentao P, Vana P. Titin-mimicking polycyclic polymers with shape regeneration and healing properties. Polym Chem 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c4py01458h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Polycyclic polymers made from cyclic (ABC)n-multiblock-copolymers that may undergo self-complementary hydrogen bonds within the individual rings show extraordinary material properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Hendrik Schuetz
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie
- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
- D-37077 Göttingen
- Germany
| | - Peng Wentao
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie
- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
- D-37077 Göttingen
- Germany
| | - Philipp Vana
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie
- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
- D-37077 Göttingen
- Germany
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7
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Taylor J, Anyango JO, Taylor JRN. Developments in the Science of Zein, Kafirin, and Gluten Protein Bioplastic Materials. Cereal Chem 2013. [DOI: 10.1094/cchem-12-12-0165-ia] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Janet Taylor
- Institute for Food, Nutrition and Well-being and Department of Food Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
- Corresponding author. Phone: +27 12 4205402. Fax: +27 12 4202839. E-mail:
| | - Joseph O. Anyango
- Institute for Food, Nutrition and Well-being and Department of Food Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - John R. N. Taylor
- Institute for Food, Nutrition and Well-being and Department of Food Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
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Peleg O, Savin T, Kolmakov GV, Salib IG, Balazs AC, Kröger M, Vogel V. Fibers with integrated mechanochemical switches: minimalistic design principles derived from fibronectin. Biophys J 2013. [PMID: 23199919 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2012.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Inspired by molecular mechanisms that cells exploit to sense mechanical forces and convert them into biochemical signals, chemists dream of designing mechanochemical switches integrated into materials. Using the adhesion protein fibronectin, whose multiple repeats essentially display distinct molecular recognition motifs, we derived a computational model to explain how minimalistic designs of repeats translate into the mechanical characteristics of their fibrillar assemblies. The hierarchy of repeat-unfolding within fibrils is controlled not only by their relative mechanical stabilities, as found for single molecules, but also by the strength of cryptic interactions between adjacent molecules that become activated by stretching. The force-induced exposure of cryptic sites furthermore regulates the nonlinearity of stress-strain curves, the strain at which such fibers break, and the refolding kinetics and fraction of misfolded repeats. Gaining such computational insights at the mesoscale is important because translating protein-based concepts into novel polymer designs has proven difficult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orit Peleg
- Laboratory of Applied Mechanobiology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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Hoffmann T, Tych KM, Hughes ML, Brockwell DJ, Dougan L. Towards design principles for determining the mechanical stability of proteins. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2013; 15:15767-80. [DOI: 10.1039/c3cp52142g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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10
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Poly(ester amide)-Poly(ethylene oxide) Graft Copolymers: Towards Micellar Drug Delivery Vehicles. INT J POLYM SCI 2012. [DOI: 10.1155/2012/564348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Micelles formed from amphiphilic copolymers are promising materials for the delivery of drug molecules, potentially leading to enhanced biological properties and efficacy. In this work, new poly(ester amide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEA-PEO) graft copolymers were synthesized and their assembly into micelles in aqueous solution was investigated. It was possible to tune the sizes of the micelles by varying the PEO content of the polymers and the method of micelle preparation. Under optimized conditions, it was possible to obtain micelles with diameters less than 100 nm as measured by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. These micelles were demonstrated to encapsulate and release a model drug, Nile Red, and were nontoxic to HeLa cells as measured by an MTT assay. Overall, the properties of these micelles suggest that they are promising new materials for drug delivery systems.
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Salib IG, Kolmakov GV, Bucior BJ, Peleg O, Kröger M, Savin T, Vogel V, Matyjaszewski K, Balazs AC. Using mesoscopic models to design strong and tough biomimetic polymer networks. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2011; 27:13796-13805. [PMID: 21977962 DOI: 10.1021/la202760z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Using computational modeling, we investigate the mechanical properties of polymeric materials composed of coiled chains, or "globules", which encompass a folded secondary structure and are cross-linked by labile bonds to form a macroscopic network. In the presence of an applied force, the globules can unfold into linear chains and thereby dissipate energy as the network is deformed; the latter attribute can contribute to the toughness of the material. Our goal is to determine how to tailor the labile intra- and intermolecular bonds within the network to produce material exhibiting both toughness and strength. Herein, we use the lattice spring model (LSM) to simulate the globules and the cross-linked network. We also utilize our modified Hierarchical Bell model (MHBM) to simulate the rupture and reforming of N parallel bonds. By applying a tensile deformation, we demonstrate that the mechanical properties of the system are sensitive to the values of N(in) and N(out), the respective values of N for the intra- and intermolecular bonds. We find that the strength of the material is mainly controlled by the value of N(out), with the higher value of N(out) providing a stronger material. We also find that, if N(in) is smaller than N(out), the globules can unfold under the tensile load before the sample fractures and, in this manner, can increase the ductility of the sample. Our results provide effective strategies for exploiting relatively weak, labile interactions (e.g., hydrogen bonding or the thiol/disulfide exchange reaction) in both the intra- and intermolecular bonds to tailor the macroscopic performance of the materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac G Salib
- Chemical Engineering Department, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
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12
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Oliviero M, Verdolotti L, Di Maio E, Aurilia M, Iannace S. Effect of supramolecular structures on thermoplastic zein-lignin bionanocomposites. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2011; 59:10062-70. [PMID: 21834554 DOI: 10.1021/jf201728p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The effect of alkaline lignin (AL) and sodium lignosulfonate (LSS) on the structure of thermoplastic zein (TPZ) was studied. Protein structural changes and the nature of the physical interaction between lignin and zein were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and correlated with physical properties. Most relevant protein structural changes were observed at low AL concentration, where strong H-bondings between the functional groups of AL and the amino acids in zein induced a destructuring of inter- and intramolecular interactions in α-helix, β-sheet, and β-turn secondary structures. This destructuring allowed for an extensive protein conformational modification which, in turn, resulted in a strong improvement of the physical properties of the bionanocomposite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Oliviero
- Institute for Composite and Biomedical Materials (IMCB), CNR, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
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13
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Kushner AM, Guan Z. Modulares Design in natürlichen und biomimetischen elastischen Materialien. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201006496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Kushner AM, Guan Z. Modular design in natural and biomimetic soft materials. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2011; 50:9026-57. [PMID: 21898722 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201006496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2010] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Under eons of evolutionary and environmental pressure, biological systems have developed strong and lightweight peptide-based polymeric materials by using the 20 naturally occurring amino acids as principal monomeric units. These materials outperform their man-made counterparts in the following ways: 1) multifunctionality/tunability, 2) adaptability/stimuli-responsiveness, 3) synthesis and processing under ambient and aqueous conditions, and 4) recyclability and biodegradability. The universal design strategy that affords these advanced properties involves "bottom-up" synthesis and modular, hierarchical organization both within and across multiple length-scales. The field of "biomimicry"-elucidating and co-opting nature's basic material design principles and molecular building blocks-is rapidly evolving. This Review describes what has been discovered about the structure and molecular mechanisms of natural polymeric materials, as well as the progress towards synthetic "mimics" of these remarkable systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M Kushner
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2025, USA
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15
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Appel WPJ, Portale G, Wisse E, Dankers PYW, Meijer EW. Aggregation of Ureido-Pyrimidinone Supramolecular Thermoplastic Elastomers into Nanofibers: A Kinetic Analysis. Macromolecules 2011. [DOI: 10.1021/ma201303s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wilco P. J. Appel
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems and Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Giuseppe Portale
- Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), DUBBLE-CRG, Grenoble, F-38043, France
| | - Eva Wisse
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems and Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Patricia Y. W. Dankers
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems and Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - E. W. Meijer
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems and Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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Börner HG. Precision Polymers-Modern Tools to Understand and Program Macromolecular Interactions. Macromol Rapid Commun 2010; 32:115-26. [DOI: 10.1002/marc.201000646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2010] [Revised: 11/17/2010] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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17
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Agnarsson I, Kuntner M, Blackledge TA. Bioprospecting finds the toughest biological material: extraordinary silk from a giant riverine orb spider. PLoS One 2010; 5:e11234. [PMID: 20856804 PMCID: PMC2939878 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0011234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2010] [Accepted: 05/24/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Combining high strength and elasticity, spider silks are exceptionally tough, i.e., able to absorb massive kinetic energy before breaking. Spider silk is therefore a model polymer for development of high performance biomimetic fibers. There are over 41.000 described species of spiders, most spinning multiple types of silk. Thus we have available some 200.000+ unique silks that may cover an amazing breadth of material properties. To date, however, silks from only a few tens of species have been characterized, most chosen haphazardly as model organisms (Nephila) or simply from researchers' backyards. Are we limited to ‘blindly fishing’ in efforts to discover extraordinary silks? Or, could scientists use ecology to predict which species are likely to spin silks exhibiting exceptional performance properties? Methodology We examined the biomechanical properties of silk produced by the remarkable Malagasy ‘Darwin's bark spider’ (Caerostris darwini), which we predicted would produce exceptional silk based upon its amazing web. The spider constructs its giant orb web (up to 2.8 m2) suspended above streams, rivers, and lakes. It attaches the web to substrates on each riverbank by anchor threads as long as 25 meters. Dragline silk from both Caerostris webs and forcibly pulled silk, exhibits an extraordinary combination of high tensile strength and elasticity previously unknown for spider silk. The toughness of forcibly silked fibers averages 350 MJ/m3, with some samples reaching 520 MJ/m3. Thus, C. darwini silk is more than twice tougher than any previously described silk, and over 10 times better than Kevlar®. Caerostris capture spiral silk is similarly exceptionally tough. Conclusions Caerostris darwini produces the toughest known biomaterial. We hypothesize that this extraordinary toughness coevolved with the unusual ecology and web architecture of these spiders, decreasing the likelihood of bridgelines breaking and collapsing the web into the river. This hypothesis predicts that rapid change in material properties of silk co-occurred with ecological shifts within the genus, and can thus be tested by combining material science, behavioral observations, and phylogenetics. Our findings highlight the potential benefits of natural history–informed bioprospecting to discover silks, as well as other materials, with novel and exceptional properties to serve as models in biomimicry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingi Agnarsson
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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Isimjan TT, de Bruyn JR, Gillies ER. Self-Assembly of Supramolecular Polymers from β-Strand Peptidomimetic−Poly(ethylene oxide) Hybrids. Macromolecules 2010. [DOI: 10.1021/ma100444b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Börner HG, Kühnle H, Hentschel J. Making “smart polymers” smarter: Modern concepts to regulate functions in polymer science. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.1002/pola.23727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Blackledge TA, Boutry C, Wong SC, Baji A, Dhinojwala A, Sahni V, Agnarsson I. How super is supercontraction? Persistent versus cyclic responses to humidity in spider dragline silk. J Exp Biol 2009; 212:1981-9. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.028944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY
Spider dragline silk has enormous potential for the development of biomimetic fibers that combine strength and elasticity in low density polymers. These applications necessitate understanding how silk reacts to different environmental conditions. For instance, spider dragline silk`supercontracts' in high humidity. During supercontraction, unrestrained dragline silk contracts up to 50% of its original length and restrained fibers generate substantial stress. Here we characterize the response of dragline silk to changes in humidity before, during and after supercontraction. Our findings demonstrate that dragline silk exhibits two qualitatively different responses to humidity. First, silk undergoes a previously unknown cyclic relaxation–contraction response to wetting and drying. The direction and magnitude of this cyclic response is identical both before and after supercontraction. By contrast, supercontraction is a `permanent' tensioning of restrained silk in response to high humidity. Here, water induces stress,rather than relaxation and the uptake of water molecules results in a permanent change in molecular composition of the silk, as demonstrated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Even after drying, silk mass increased by∼1% after supercontraction. By contrast, the cyclic response to humidity involves a reversible uptake of water. Dried, post-supercontraction silk also differs mechanically from virgin silk. Post-supercontraction silk exhibits reduced stiffness and stress at yield, as well as changes in dynamic energy storage and dissipation. In addition to advancing understanding supercontraction, our findings open up new applications for synthetic silk analogs. For example, dragline silk emerges as a model for a biomimetic muscle, the contraction of which is precisely controlled by humidity alone.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cecilia Boutry
- Department of Biology, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA
| | - Shing-Chung Wong
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325,USA
| | - Avinash Baji
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325,USA
| | - Ali Dhinojwala
- Department of Polymer Science, Integrated Bioscience Program, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA
| | - Vasav Sahni
- Department of Polymer Science, Integrated Bioscience Program, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA
| | - Ingi Agnarsson
- Department of Biology, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, PO Box 23360, San Juan, PR 00931, USA
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Yu TB, Bai J, Guan Z. Cycloaddition-Promoted Self-Assembly of a Polymer into Well-Defined β Sheets and Hierarchical Nanofibrils. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2009. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.200805009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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22
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Yu TB, Bai JZ, Guan Z. Cycloaddition-promoted self-assembly of a polymer into well-defined beta sheets and hierarchical nanofibrils. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2009; 48:1097-101. [PMID: 19115358 PMCID: PMC3375212 DOI: 10.1002/anie.200805009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Bin Yu
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025 (USA), Fax: (+1) 949-824-2210, Homepage: http://chem.ps.uci.edu/~zguan
| | - Jane Z. Bai
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025 (USA), Fax: (+1) 949-824-2210, Homepage: http://chem.ps.uci.edu/~zguan
| | - Zhibin Guan
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025 (USA), Fax: (+1) 949-824-2210, Homepage: http://chem.ps.uci.edu/~zguan
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Agnarsson I, Boutry C, Blackledge TA. Spider silk aging: initial improvement in a high performance material followed by slow degradation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 309:494-504. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Hentschel J, ten Cate MGJ, Börner HG. Peptide-Guided Organization of Peptide−Polymer Conjugates: Expanding the Approach from Oligo- to Polymers. Macromolecules 2007. [DOI: 10.1021/ma071810z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jens Hentschel
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, MPI KG Golm, 14424 Potsdam, Germany
| | | | - Hans G. Börner
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, MPI KG Golm, 14424 Potsdam, Germany
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Dankers PYW, Meijer EW. Supramolecular Biomaterials. A Modular Approach towards Tissue Engineering. BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN 2007. [DOI: 10.1246/bcsj.80.2047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Rotello V, Thayumanavan S‘T. Editorial. POLYM INT 2007. [DOI: 10.1002/pi.2288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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