Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting patient-specific responses to the administration of medicaments that are indicated to modulate megakaryocyte differentiation, proplatelet formation, and/or platelet production are disclosed. The systems and methods can include a three-dimensional bone marrow model that is composed of silk fibroin sponges including a protein of the extracellular matrix, such as fibrinogen. The methods include creating patient-specific megakaryocyte progenitors (or progenitors thereof), seeding those progenitors into the model, introducing the medicament to the progenitors within one model, perfusing the model with a cell culture medium, maturing the progenitors, comparing platelet generation from the model including the medicament to a control model, and generating a report having a prediction of in vivo efficacy based on the comparison.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for screening drug delivery vehicles for use in delivering cargo via oral delivery. The method includes introducing a drug delivery vehicle comprising an imaging agent into a lumen of an artificial intestine system composed of a scaffold matrix material. The scaffold matrix material includes an interconnected network of pores, intestinal epithelial cells positioned on an inner surface of the lumen, and human-based cells positioned within the pores and surrounding the intestinal epithelial cells. The method includes maintaining the artificial intestine system in physiologically relevant conditions for a predetermined length of time, and detecting a color change induced by the imaging agent within at least a portion of the human-based cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are genetically engineered mammalian cells that endogenously express one or more phytochemicals, vitamins, or therapeutic agents and suitable for use in a cultured meat product. Methods of making and using the genetically engineered mammalian cells and the cultured meat products are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides certain silk-fibroin compositions with particular characteristics and/or properties. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides low molecular weight compositions. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides silk fibroin compositions that comprise an active (e.g., a biological) agent or component. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides low molecular weight silk fibroin compositions that comprise an active (e.g., a biological) agent or component. In some embodiments, an active agent is stabilized in a silk composition, e.g., for a period of time and/or against certain conditions or events. In some embodiments, a component present in a silk fibroin composition may be subject to analysis and/or characterization. In some embodiments, a component present in a silk fibroin composition may be recovered from the composition.

Abstract: A method of making silk articles including preparing a silk fibroin solution including silk fibroin and microalgae, and introducing the silk fibroin solution into a solvent bath including a crosslinking agent. The method can incorporate 3D printing techniques to allow for easy fabrication of the articles into various forms. The silk articles can provide a cell-friendly matrix that allows 3D encapsulation of microalgae while maintaining normal cell proliferation and functions for an extended period of time.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to biocompatible injectable compositions. The provided compositions comprise or consist of silk fibroin, hyaluronic acid, horseradish peroxidase, hydrogen peroxide, and water. The injectable composition is tunable and may be adapted to have a gelation time from 3 minutes to 20 minutes, a storage modulus of 6 Pa to 4000 Pa, be injectable through a needle having a size from 32 G to 18 G, have optical transmittance from 75% to 95% for at least one wavelength from 400 nm to 700 nm, have a volume expansion from 5% to 400% relative to an original volume of the hydrogel after soaking in an aqueous solution for 12 hours, and/or have a hydrogel stability by maintaining at least 75% of the storage modulus and the optical transmittance of the hydrogel after 6 months in vivo. The present disclosure provides methods for making and using the same.

Abstract: A method of making drug-eluting regenerated silk fibroin particles using cryogranulation. The method has a first step of injecting a mixture into a super-cooled fluid, the mixture including regenerated silk fibroin and at least one medicament. A second step of incubating the drug-eluting particles in the super-cooled fluid to promote cryogelation may also be used. The size distribution, morphology, and cross-linking efficiency of the particles can depend on several controllable variable, such as starting concentrations of cross-linking agents and silk fibroin in the mixture, the injection pressure, and the temperature of the super-cooled fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in some embodiments, multi-layer silk compositions including a first layer comprising silk fibroin and keratinocytes, a second layer comprising silk fibroin and fibroblasts, a third layer comprising silk fibroin and adipocytes, and a plurality of nervous system cells, wherein at least some of the plurality of nervous system cells span at least two layers, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, provided methods and compositions further include immune cells and/or endothelial cells.

Abstract: Provided herein is a cultured meat product comprising a confluent serum-free insect muscle cell culture seeded on a food safe substrate. Further provided herein is a method for producing a cultured meat product comprising the steps of: culturing insect muscle cells on a food safe substrate in serum-free culture medium for a time sufficient for the cells to reach confluence. Also provided herein is a bioactuator comprising confluent insect muscle cells cultured in a flexible substrate to form muscle fibers.

Abstract: Provided herein relates to implantable devices and systems with dynamic silk coatings. In some embodiments, the dynamic silk coatings can be formed in situ or in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention provides for concentrated aqueous silk fibroin solutions and an all-aqueous mode for preparation of concentrated aqueous fibroin solutions that avoids the use of organic solvents, direct additives, or harsh chemicals. The invention further provides for the use of these solutions in production of materials, e.g., fibers, films, foams, meshes, scaffolds and hydrogels.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, compositions including at least one pliable layer comprising a plurality of silk fibroin nanofibrils, and at least one rigid layer comprising a plurality of mineral crystals, wherein each rigid layer is associated with at least one pliable layer, as well as methods for the production and use thereof.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods including the steps of (i) providing silk fibroin material comprising substantially amorphous structure, and (ii) applying at least one of elevated temperature and elevated pressure to the silk fibroin material to form a silk fibroin article, wherein the applying induces fusion between at least a portion of the silk fibroin and structural change of fibroin in the silk fibroin material. In some embodiments, the present disclosure also provides silk fibroin articles made in accordance with the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for improved histological analysis of organoids are disclosed. The compositions and methods include silk-elastin-like polymers have temperature-induced shape change properties.

Abstract: Three-dimensional printing methods and systems for forming a three-dimensional protein article are disclosed. The methods and systems involve selecting article formation parameters, such as protein ink parameters, solvent bath parameters, shear force parameters, and mapping parameters. After these parameters are selected, the methods and systems iteratively introduce protein ink into a solvent bath via a three-dimensional printing outlet. The result is a three-dimensional protein article. One exemplary protein is silk fibroin. Further processing can be done, such as drying the article.

Abstract: The present invention provides for concentrated aqueous silk fibroin solutions and an all-aqueous mode for preparation of concentrated aqueous fibroin solutions that avoids the use of organic solvents, direct additives, or harsh chemicals. The invention further provides for the use of these solutions in production of materials, e.g., fibers, films, foams, meshes, scaffolds and hydrogels.

Abstract: A microneedle or microneedle device includes a microneedle body extending from a base to a penetrating tip formed from a silk fibroin based material, which is easy to fabricate and highly biocompatible. The microneedle device can include one or more microneedles mounted to a substrate. The silk fibroin can include active agents to be transported into or across biological barriers such as skin, tissue and cell membranes. The silk fibroin microneedles can be fully or partially biodegradable and/or bioerodible. The silk fibroin is highly stable, affords room temperature storage and is implantable. The silk fibroin structure can be modulated to control the rate of active agent delivery.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for producing porous silk fibroin scaffold material. The porous silk fibroin scaffold can be used for tissue engineering. The porosity of the silk fibroin scaffolds described herein can be adjusted as to mimic the gradient of densities found in natural tissue. Accordingly, methods for engineering of 3-dimensional tissue, e.g. bone and cartilage, using the silk fibroin scaffold material are also provided.

Abstract: The inventions provided herein relate to compositions, methods, delivery devices and kits for repairing or augmenting a tissue in a subject. The compositions described herein are injectable such that they can be placed in a tissue to be treated with a minimally-invasive procedure (e.g., by injection) and/or be molded flexibly into a tissue void of any shape and/or size. In some embodiments, the composition described herein comprises a plurality of silk fibroin particles, which can retain their original volume within the tissue for a period of time. The compositions can be used as a filler to replace a tissue void, e.g., for tissue repair and/or augmentation, or as a scaffold to support tissue regeneration and/or reconstruction. In some embodiments, the compositions described herein can be used for soft tissue repair or augmentation.

Abstract: Described herein are flexible and stretchable LED arrays and methods utilizing flexible and stretchable LED arrays. Assembly of flexible LED arrays alongside flexible plasmonic crystals is useful for construction of fluid monitors, permitting sensitive detection of fluid refractive index and composition. Co-integration of flexible LED arrays with flexible photodetector arrays is useful for construction of flexible proximity sensors. Application of stretchable LED arrays onto flexible threads as light emitting sutures provides novel means for performing radiation therapy on wounds.