insights from industryJennifer Prestipino & Viviana PosadaApplications Scientist and Principal InvestigatorThermo Fisher Scientific – BioAdvanced NanoSurfaces
In this interview, industry experts Jennifer Prestipino and Dr. Viviana Posada discuss the unique properties of silk fibroin and chitosan, their biomedical applications, and innovative techniques enhancing biomaterials through nanoscale surface modifications and UV-Vis spectroscopy.
What makes silk fibroin stand out as a biomaterial for biomedical applications?
Jen Prestipino: Silk fibroin, a protein derived from silkworms, is incredibly versatile for biomedical applications, particularly in drug delivery. Its standout properties include high biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and robust encapsulation capabilities. These advantages are largely due to its unique beta-sheet structure, which gives it strength, elasticity, and prolonged stability against enzymatic degradation, making it ideal for controlled and sustained drug release. Additionally, silk fibroin’s chemical and structural modifiability means it can be tailored for specific therapeutic applications, whether for targeted delivery or controlled release, ensuring optimal alignment with safety and efficacy criteria.
What about chitosan, what are the standout features that make it an important material for biomedical applications?
Viviana Posada: Chitosan offers tremendous potential for modifying surface interactions, particularly at the nanoscale. In our lab, BioANSR, we’ve explored plasma nanosynthesis to engineer nanostructured surfaces on chitosan, optimizing them for antibacterial efficacy and cell alignment. This ability to create surfaces that both resist bacterial growth and promote tissue integration is transformative, especially for implants and wound healing applications. By altering surface topography and chemistry, we can achieve better biological responses, such as minimizing inflammation and guiding cellular