Abstract: An apparatus and method for the extraction of material from glands of arthropods. The apparatus comprises a container in which at least part of the glands are placed and a buffer solution at least partially immersing the glands. Gland material is collected in the material collection area of container. In use the material is released from glands into the buffer solution and sedimented at the bottom of the container. The method comprises: a first step of removing from a body of the arthropod the gland containing at least partially the material; a second step of making an opening in an epithelium of the gland; and a third step of placing the gland in a container at least partially immersed in a buffer solution such that the materials exit the glands and sediments in the material collection area of the container.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the extraction of material from glands of arthropods. The apparatus includes a container in which at least part of the glands are placed and a buffer solution at least partially immersing the glands. Gland material is collected in the material collection area of the container, e.g., by release of the material from the glands into the buffer solution and sedimentation of the material at the bottom of the container. The method involves removing from a body of the arthropod the gland containing at least partially the material, making an opening in an epithelium of the gland, and placing the gland in the container at least partially immersed in a buffer solution, so that the material exits the glands and sediments in the material collection area of the container.

Abstract: A method for the extrusion of a silk fibre from a water-soluble material which comprises providing the water-soluble material (25) in a liquid form, extruding the water-soluble material (25) through an opening (40) to form a precursor of the extruded silk fibre (53) and receiving the precursor on a moving surface (50). The precursor is treated on the moving surface (50) to form the silk fibre.

Abstract: A silk medical device is described, which is useful for the treatment of wounds to prevent infection. The silk medical device is manufactured from a silk protein material that is loaded with a polymeric cationic antimicrobial, such as polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the manufacture of a single silk mono-filament. The single silk mono filament has a tensile strength of above 40 Newtons. The single silk mono-filament has applications as a musical string or a medical device.

Abstract: A silk protein membrane is described which is loaded with an antimicrobial compound and has a substantially non-granular ultrastructure which is (i) substantially devoid of micellar silk fibroin substructures and (ii) substantially devoid of pores when analysed by scanning electron microscopy at 0.2 ?m resolution. The antimicrobial compound comprises, in one aspect of the invention, a host defense peptide. The silk protein membrane of the invention can be used in a method for the treatment of wounds and allows the wound dressing to be kept in place after removal of that wound dressing from a wound the wound has less than 105 colony forming units per gram. A method for manufacturing a wound dressing is also disclosed which comprises transferring a cast precursor material and optionally a host defense peptide, into a solid support and then drying the precursor material on the solid support to form a silk protein membrane for use as the wound dressing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the extraction of material from glands of arthropods. The apparatus includes a container in which at least part of the glands are placed and a buffer solution at least partially immersing the glands. Gland material is collected in the material collection area of the container, e.g., by release of the material from the glands into the buffer solution and sedimentation of the material at the bottom of the container. The method involves removing from a body of the arthropod the gland containing at least partially the material, making an opening in an epithelium of the gland, and placing the gland in the container at least partially immersed in a buffer solution, so that the material exits the glands and sediments in the material collection area of the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of extruded material. The apparatus includes a material supplier which supplies a material and has an opening, through which the material is extruded to form extruded material. A moving surface is positioned adjacent to the opening to receive the extruded material from the opening. The method for the extrusion of the material which comprises providing the material in a liquid form, extruding the material through an opening to form extruded material and receiving the extruded material on the moving surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the extraction of material from glands of arthropods. The apparatus comprises a container in which at least part of the glands are placed and a buffer solution at least partially immersing the glands. Gland material is collected in the material collection area of container. In use the material is released from glands into the buffer solution and sedimented at the bottom of the container. The method comprises: a first step of removing from a body of the arthropod the gland containing at least partially the material; a second step of making an opening in an epithelium of the gland; and a third step of placing the gland in a container at least partially immersed in a buffer solution such that the materials exit the glands and sediments in the material collection area of the container.