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Silk Protein Photonics

Posted by timothy on from the need-more-spiders dept.

Researchers in the Dept. of Biomedical Engineering at Tufts University have used a straightforward, water based extraction method to make pure, ultra-transparent silk films. These films can be patterned with photonic devices, like diffraction gratings and infused with proteins and enzymes allowing biochemically active, cheap, printable optics to be fabricated. Applications to implantable optical sensors are almost limitless. (Disclaimer: I am part of this research group.)

2 of 26 comments (clear)

  1. Enzyme Stabilization by Kozar_The_Malignant · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I was interested in the stabilization effect this has on the enzymes doped onto the silk substrate. According to TFA, they wind up with a room-temperature self life of a year or so compared to hours otherwise. This could make all kinds of tests and indicators way cheaper. how about E. coli sensitive wrappers for meat products?

    --
    Some mornings it's hardly worth chewing through the restraints to get out of bed.
  2. Spinach! bah by StormShaman · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Spinach! Sure, the most recent E. Coli scare was with spinach, but I'd like to see this on fish, so I could know what fish to buy for sashimi.