Multilayer Silk Protein Films
The present invention is directed to a method of forming multilayer silk protein films and a multilayer film obtained therefrom. The invention is further directed to various materials, products and compositions containing said multilayer film and to the use of Said multilayer film in several applications.
1 . A method of forming multilayer spider silk protein films comprising the steps of:
a) providing one or more solutions of spider silk proteins dissolved or suspended in formic acid;
b) forming one of said solutions into a film;
c) evaporating the formic acid, thereby forming a first silk protein film layer; and
d) once or more repeating steps a)-c) to form additional silk protein film layers on said first silk protein film layer in order to form a multilayer silk protein film.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein each single layer of the multilayer film is formed from a silk protein solution comprising one or more types of silk protein.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the multilayer film is formed from layers comprising the same (homogenous multilayer film) or different (heterogenous multilayer film) silk proteins.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the multilayer film comprises one or more layers made from silk proteins and one or more layers comprising other proteinaceous or non-proteinaceous materials.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the non-proteinaceous material is selected from polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS), poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), and/or poly(diallyldimethyl-ammoniumchloride) (PDADMAC).
6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the other proteinaceous material is selected from collagens, elastin or keratin.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the spider silk proteins are natural or recombinant silk proteins.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the spider silk proteins are silks from Arachnida or analogues therefrom.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the layers of the multilayer film comprises one or more agents incorporated therein or located between two adjacent layers.
10 . The method of claim 9 wherein the one or more agents are selected from metals, chemicals and/or pharmaceutical agents.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the silk proteins are covalently functionalized before or after step 1b).
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the silk protein solution is containing 0.1-20% w/v of silk protein.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the silk protein solution is containing 0.5-10% w/v of silk protein.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the silk protein solution is containing 1-3% w/v of silk protein.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the film is formed by moulding, spincoating or casting the solution onto a suitable support.
16 . A multilayer film obtainable by the method of claim 1 .
17 . A multilayer silk protein film comprising at least two layers of silk protein films.
18 . The multilayer film of claim 17 , wherein each single layer of the multilayer film is formed from a silk protein solution comprising one or more types of silk protein.
19 . The multilayer film of claims 17 or 18 , wherein the multilayer film is formed from layers comprising the same (homogenous multilayer film) or different (heterogenous multilayer film) silk proteins.
20 . The multilayer film of claim 17 , wherein the multilayer film comprises one or more layers made from silk proteins and one or more layers comprising other proteinaceous or non-proteinaceous materials.
21 . The multilayer film of claim 20 , wherein the non-proteinaceous material is selected from polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS), poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), and/or poly(diallyldimethyl-ammoniumchloride) (PDADMAC).
22 . The multilayer film of claim 20 , wherein the other proteinaceous material is selected from collagens, elastin or keratin.
23 . The multilayer film of claim 17 , wherein the spider silk proteins are natural or recombinant silk proteins.
24 . The multilayer film of claim 23 , wherein the spider silk proteins are silks from Arachnida or analogues therefrom.
25 . The multilayer film of claim 17 , wherein the layers of the multilayer film comprise one or more agents incorporated therein or located between two adjacent layers.
26 . The multilayer film of claim 25 , wherein the one or more agents are selected from metals, chemicals and/or pharmaceutical agents.
27 . The multilayer film of claim 17 , wherein the silk proteins are covalently functionalized.