@article {46636,
	title = {Structural and physical analysis of underwater silk from housing nest composites of a tropical chironomid midge},
	journal = {International Journal of Biological Macromolecules},
	volume = {163},
	year = {2020},
	month = {NOV },
	pages = {934-942},
	type = {Article},
	abstract = {<p>Chironomids are an abundant group of aquatic silk spinning insects. They offer a unique opportunity of silk harvestation without killing them; however, they remained underappreciated models in silk research. Here, we investigate the structural and biomechanical characteristics of silk from the midge, Chironomus ramosus. A combination of microscopic (SEM), spectroscopic (CD and IR), structural (XRD), thermal (DSC and TGA) and mechanical measurement tools and techniques were employed to gain critical insights on midge silk. Maximum yield of silk was obtained from Chironomus in similar to 2.5 h, the shortest time reported among insects. The network of water-insoluble silk fibres possessed the smallest diameter of 110 +/- 35 nm, known for any insect silk, qualifying its superiority in fibre fineness. We demonstrate a cruelty-free silk extraction method in contrast to the conventional violent techniques. Structural characterization indicated coexistence of various secondary conformations, beta sheets being predominant. We compare and contrast these features to well-characterized caddisfly and silk-worm silks and highlight the uniqueness in midge silk that render mechanical stability and potentially contribute to its multi-functionalization. We thus propose Chironomus as an emerging candidate of water-borne silk, especially in the context of the {\textquoteleft}Peace silk{\textquoteright} industry, aiming to develop non-violent methods for silk harvestation from animals. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</p>
},
	keywords = {biopolymer, Chironomus, Commercial applications, Housing nest composite, Peace silk, Underwater silk},
	issn = {0141-8130},
	doi = {10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.07.070},
	author = {Thorat, Leena and Joseph, Emmanuel and Nisal, Anuya and Shukla, Ekta and RaviKumar, Ameeta and Nath, Bimalendu B.}
}
@article {48176,
	title = {Silk fibroin and recombinant elastin blend nano-coatings for implantable medical devices},
	journal = {Materials Today Communications},
	volume = {33},
	year = {2022},
	month = {DEC},
	pages = {104875},
	type = {Article},
	abstract = {<p>
	Silicone breast implants are conventionally used to reconstruct the shape and size of the breast in breast cancer patients. However, rate of failure of implants due to formation of capsular contracture is significantly high. Recent studies have shown that coating the surface of the implant with a biocompatible polymer can mitigate this risk. Here, we have modified the surface of implant using a biocompatible natural biopolymer silk fibroin (SF). Further, we have developed formulations of SF with a recombinantly produced elastin-like-peptide (ELP) and compared their performance with a known anti-fouling hydrophilic polymer - polyethylene oxide (PEO). Microscopic and spectroscopic characterization confirm the formation of uniform coatings. These coatings have been also characterized for their ability to resists crack formation. Further, the coatings have been evaluated for their biological performance. Our studies show that addition of 25 wt\% of ELP to SF significantly enhances the crack resistance for the coatings. In addition, SF/ELP coatings reduce the adsorption of blood plasma proteins by more than 80 \%. Preliminary analysis shows that the SF/ELP blend coatings are non-cytotoxic and support adhesion, growth and proliferation of fibroblast cells. The study therefore demonstrates that SF/ELP coatings have the potential to mitigate the risk of breast implant failure.</p>
},
	keywords = {Blood plasma, Crack resistance, Protein adsorption, Recombinant elastin, Silk fibroin},
	doi = {10.1016/j.mtcomm.2022.104875},
	author = {Joseph, Emmanuel and Kane, Kartiki and Parekh, Nimisha and Nisal, Anuya and Janorkar, V. Amol}
}
