Abstract: The present application relates to silk fibroin-based hydrogels, methods for making and using the same.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods including the steps of providing one or more human somatic cells, causing transient increased expression of OCT4, KLF4, SOX2, and cMYC in the somatic cells forming modified somatic cells, providing a plurality of inactivated embryonic fibroblasts, associating the modified somatic cells with the inactivated embryonic fibroblasts in a culture media comprising 20% KO DMEM xeno-free serum replacement and at least 15 ng/ml recombinant bFGF to form human induced neural stem cells.

Abstract: Provided herein relates to compositions and methods for lubrication of a surface. The surface amenable to the compositions and methods described herein can be a non-biological surface, a biological surface, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the composition comprising a phospholipid-coated silk microsphere can be used for lubrication of a surface. In some embodiments, the composition comprising a phospholipid-coated silk microsphere can be used for joint lubrication, e.g., for treatment of joint disorders such as arthritis.

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 provided for a novel process of forming silk fibroin gels, and controlling the rate of ?-sheet formation and resulting hydrogelation kinetics, by vortex treatment of silk fibroin solution. In addition, the vortex treatment of the present invention provides a silk fibroin gel that may be reversibly shear-thinned, enabling the use of these approach for precise control of silk self-assembly, both spatially and temporally. Active agents, including biological materials, viable cells or therapeutic agents, can be encapsulated in the hydrogels formed from the processes, and be used as delivery vehicles. Hence, the present invention provide for methods for silk fibroin gelation that are useful for biotechnological applications such as encapsulation and delivery of active agents, cells, and bioactive molecules.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides transparent, elastic silk hydrogels for applications, including corneal reshaping to restore visual acuity and photolithography. The present disclosure also provides methods of photocrosslinking silk fibroin protein using riboflavin as a photoinitiator and exposing such riboflavin doped silk fibroin to light resulting in the formation of a transparent, elastic hydrogel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a power aggregation system. In one implementation, a method includes establishing a communication connection with each of multiple electric resources connected to a power grid, receiving an energy generation signal from a power grid operator, and controlling a number of the electric resources being charged by the power grid as a function of the energy generation signal.

Abstract: The present application relates to amphiphilic polypeptide materials, methods for making and using the same. Provided amphiphilic polypeptide materials are water-based and manufactured using all aqueous processing. Provided materials exhibit a capacity to encapsulate and store biologically active molecules or macromolecules. Such biologically active molecules or macromolecules retain their structure and the biological activity so that these biologically active molecules or macromolecules are not materially degraded, reduced, and/or inhibited by processing steps or exposure. Provided materials possess unique mechanical and structural properties, including size, density, moldability and machinability.

Abstract: Bioresorbable silk fibroin tracheal stents can be designed and engineered to maintain a tracheal opening. A tracheal stent will maintain a tracheal opening for a period while tissue structure and function is restored. Bioresorbable silk fibroin tracheal stents programmably degrade without negative biological or clinical outcomes. Bioresorbable silk fibroin tracheal stents do not need to be removed following tracheal restoration. Bioresorbable biopolymer tracheal stents can be internally or externally deployed. Bioresorbable biopolymer tracheal stents, for example can be internally or externally deployed in a patient. Such stents may be affixed to function as a splint with tunable mechanically properties to treat, for example, a patient with severe airway collapse.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to paper-based substrates and apparatus comprising such substrates. The apparatus may include a patterned conductive structure coupled to the paper-based substrate, wherein the patterned conductive structure responds to electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel sustained release silk-based delivery systems. The invention further provides methods for producing such formulations. In general, a silk fibroin solution is combined with a therapeutic agent to form a silk fibroin article. The article is then treated in such a way as to alter its conformation. The change in conformation increases its crystallinity or liquid crystallinity, thus controlling the release of a therapeutic agent from the formulation. This can be accomplished as single material carriers or in a layer-by-layer fashion to load different therapeutic agents or different concentrations of these agents in each layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nanofibrillar materials and aerogel-like materials comprised of nanofibrils, and methods for making such materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, powerful new tools for therapeutic and research uses in the central and/or peripheral nervous system. The present invention provides, inter alia, compositions including a plurality of human nerve cells, a plurality of glial cells, and silk fibroin, as well as methods for making and using such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for preparing aqueous insoluble, ductile, flexible silk fibroin films. The silk films comprise silk fibroin and about 10% to about 50% (w/w) glycerol, and are prepared by entirely aqueous processes. The ductile silk film may be further treated by extracting the glycerol from and re-drying the silk film. Active agents may be embedded in or deposited on the glycerol modified silk film for a variety of medical applications. The films may be shaped into 3-dimensional structures, or placed on support surfaces as labels or coatings. The glycerol modified silk films of the present invention are useful in variety of applications such as tissue engineering, medical devices or implants, drug delivery, and edible pharmaceutical or food labels.

Abstract: This invention relates to a lamellae tissue layer, comprising a grooved silk fibroin substrate comprising tissue-specific cells. The silk fibroin substrates provides an excellent means of controlling and culturing cell and extracellular matrix development. A multitude of lamellae tissue layers can be used to create a tissue-engineered organ, such as a tissue-engineered cornea. The tissue-engineered organ is non-immunogenic and biocompatible.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for printing a predetermined pattern on silk fibroin materials using water based “inks.” Such technique may be useful for micro- and nano-engineering applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, compositions including a plurality of enterocytes, a plurality of fibroblasts, a plurality of Goblet cells, a plurality of Paneth cells, a plurality of enteroendocrine cells, and a silk fibroin scaffold, wherein the composition exhibits one or more of tight junction formation, microvilli polarization, digestive enzyme secretion, and low oxygen tension and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the composition exhibits one or more of tight junction maintenance, maintenance of microvilli polarization, digestive enzyme secretion, and low oxygen tension for at least 10 days.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides compositions including silk fibroin and a phenol-containing polymer, wherein at least one tyrosine group of the silk fibroin is covalently crosslinked to at least one phenol group of the phenol-containing polymer. In some embodiments, the present invention also provides methods including the steps of providing silk fibroin, providing a phenol-containing polymer, associating the silk fibroin with the phenol-containing polymer to form a mixed solution, and crosslinking at least one tyrosine group in the silk fibroin and at least one phenol group of the phenol-containing polymer via at least one enzymatic reaction, wherein the crosslinking comprises covalent bonding between at least one tyrosine group of the silk fibroin and at least one phenol group of the phenol-containing polymer to form a crosslinked composition.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to compositions and methods for production of three-dimensional constructs with high mechanical strength and/or stiffness.

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.