Functionalizing silk hydrogels with nanoparticles and fibres

Kaewchuchuen, Jirada

Thesis

Functionalizing silk hydrogels with nanoparticles and fibres

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Creator

Kaewchuchuen, Jirada

Rights statement

Strathclyde Thesis Copyright

Awarding institution

University of Strathclyde

Date of award

2024

Thesis identifier

T16858

Person Identifier (Local)

201955867

Qualification Level

Doctoral (Postgraduate)

Qualification Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department, School or Faculty

Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences

Abstract

This research explores the development of composite silk hydrogels by incorporating different types of silk nanoparticles and microfibres, including Antheraea mylitta (Tasar) silk. The aim was to generate hydrogel composites to ultimately modulate the mechanical properties of Bombyx mori (B. mori) silk hydrogels and enhance cell attachment. B. mori silk lacks the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) sequence that is used for cell adhesion. Therefore, introducing RGD-containing Tasar silk within B. mori hydrogels is particularly interesting. This thesis investigated the mechanical properties of silk hydrogels containing various nanoparticles including silica nanoparticles (Chapter 2 and Chapter 3), B. mori and Tasar silk nanoparticles (Chapter 3) as well as silk microfibres . These hydrogel composites were subjected to cell adhesion studies, using DU-145 cells and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived MSCs (iPSCs-MSCs). The research found that ilk hydrogels loaded with 5% w/v silica nanoparticles exhibited higher stiffness than those with lower concentrations (Chapter 2). In Chapter 3, the results showed that silk hydrogels functionalised with nanoparticles had similar stiffness but with variations in stress relaxation while maintaining consistent cell attachment. Silk hydrogels inforced with B. mori and Tasar silk fibres enhanced short-term cell proliferation and attachment, with Tasar silk microfibres being particularly effective. However, cell attachment on silk hydrogels was still less than on tissue culture plastic. Overall, this thesis generated composite silk hydrogels using a spectrum of nanoparticles and silk fibres that in turn modulated the mechanical properties and especially those hydrogels reinforced with silk microfibres, promote short-term cell growth and adhesion.

Advisor / supervisor