Silk Fibroin Protein Based Scaffolds: Vital Aspects and Applications

Both silkworms and spiders naturally create silk, a type of fibrous protein recognized for its remarkable mechanical properties, in the form of thread-like filaments. Sutures made of silk fibers have been used for many purposes throughout history. To restore or replace damaged or degraded tissue or organs, tissue engineering (TE) is a technique that includes fusing cells with scaffold materials and the appropriate growth factors. The crucial component in TE is the scaffold substance, which acts as a template for tissue formation. Due to its exceptional mechanical qualities, capability to be absorbed by the body, natural degradability, compatibility with biological systems, and array of available scaffold materials, silk fibroin (SF) has attracted notable interest for TE applications. A variety of fabrication techniques can be used to easily convert SF, which is typically dissolved in water-based solutions, into a variety of material forms, including films, mats, hydrogels, and sponges. These approaches include crosslinking using both physical and chemical means, electrospinning, freeze drying, and spin coating. Additionally, modern techniques like micro-patterning and bio-printing have recently come to light as promising directions for research in order to enable the fabrication of more complicated SF-based scaffolds with outstanding precision. This chapter discusses numerous scaffolds made utilizing SF that have recently become popular as well as an outline of the physical and chemical properties of SF. It explores the various ways that SF-based scaffolds are used in TE, including in the regeneration of bone, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, skin, and the tympanic membrane. This chapter will highlight these applications and have a conversation about upcoming opportunities and difficulties.