SuperSpiderSilkScaffolds: Exemplification of chemically decorated spider silk in wound healing
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Nottingham
Department Name: Sch of Chemistry
Abstract
Spider silk is tougher than steel or Kevlar used in bulletproof vests on a weight per weight basis. It is a biocompatible material that does not cause excess inflammation or a significant immune response making it ideal for use in new wound dressings and scaffolds for tissue regeneration. These could both accelerate healing and potentially reduce permanent scarring. Spider silks are biodegradable and sustainable natural materials composed of a number of different proteins that self-assemble to form fibers and films. Unlike silkworms, spiders cannot be farmed as they are cannibalistic and only recently have reliable recombinant methods been developed. Building on these, we have developed a method of producing spider silk in bacteria which carry antibiotics for keeping wounds free of infection and/or ligands to promote tissue regeneration. We wish to optimize the production of these new silks to promote faster wound healing especially for chronic sores and pressure ulcers as in diabetes.
Publications
Harvey D
(2017)
Antibiotic Spider Silk: Site-Specific Functionalization of Recombinant Spider Silk Using "Click" Chemistry.
in Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
Harvey D
(2020)
Cyclo(RGDfK) Functionalized Spider Silk Cell Scaffolds: Significantly Improved Performance in Just One Click.
in Macromolecular bioscience
Harvey D
(2017)
Laboratory News - Silky Smooth Solution
| Description | We have demonstrated in association with Spiber Technologies AB (Sweden) that we can scale-up production of recombinant spider silk incorporating un-natural amino acids and we can modify this silk with a wide variety of ligands that can be used for a range of medical and other purposes. These new properties are currently being explored and remain commercially sensitive. |
| Exploitation Route | We are working in collaboration with Spiber Technologies, Sweden to take a variety of materials forward and Dr David Harvey has successfully applied for further support in the form of both an Innovate UK/Warwick University ICURe fellowship to look at potential markets and a RSE/BBSRC Enterprize fellowship to undertake future product development and determine the best commercialisation route. He is currently employed on the second of these fellowships and has explored a number of additional markets including cosmetics/personal care products. Scale-up of silk production is being explored using a variety of expression vehicles and large scale facilities. |
| Sectors | Chemicals,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | BBSRC IAA University of Nottingham |
| Amount | £300,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/S506758/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2018 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | Midlands ICURe Cohort A |
| Amount | £35,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ICURe Mid-A-9 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2018 |
| End | 09/2018 |
| Description | RSE/BBSRC Enterprise Fellowship (David Harvey) |
| Amount | £42,236 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2019 |
| End | 03/2020 |
| Title | Clickable ligands with imaging or biological activities |
| Description | A range of new ligands that have alkyne, azide or cyclooctyne groups incorporated in them has been produced. These can be readily attached to suitable molecules/materials via CuAAC or SPAAC 'click' reactions. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | still in development |
| Description | Collaboration with Phenotypeca |
| Organisation | Phenotypeca |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Exploration of expression of mini-spidroins using a new biological chassis with our gene constructs |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of a range of biological chassis |
| Impact | Too early |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Spiber Technologies Sweden |
| Organisation | Spiber Technologies |
| Country | Sweden |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Our un-natural amino acid methodology allows us to modify spider silk in a number of different ways for them to characterise. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Spiber are able to scale-up the spider silk production to levels required by commercial applications |
| Impact | too early |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Title | MODIFIED SPIDER SILK |
| Description | The invention relates to a modified spidroin, comprising spidroin modified to comprise azide, alkyne, allyl or amine moieties; a spider silk material; a conjugate of spidroin and an active molecule linked by a triazole or amide; a tissue scaffold, implant, wound dressing, or suture, comprising the modified spidroin; methods of forming and modifying spidroin; and methods of treatment comprising the administration of the modified spidroin. |
| IP Reference | WO2016038387 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2016 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | too early |
| Title | Functionalised Spider Silk |
| Description | Further funding from BBSRC IAA, Innovate UK ICURe fellowship (for David Harvey), RSE/BBSRC enterprise fellowship (David Harvey) |
| Type | Therapeutic Intervention - Medical Devices |
| Current Stage Of Development | Refinement. Non-clinical |
| Year Development Stage Completed | 2018 |
| Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
| Impact | future commercialisation of the material for research applications in other groups/companies. |
| Company Name | XIAS BIO LIMITED |
| Description | One of the two directors of the company is Dr David Harvey - Xias Bio designer proteins offer non-immunogenic, non-toxic, and animal product-free alternatives to materials used in numerous applications. |
| Year Established | 2020 |
| Impact | Only recently started therefore too early for impacts |
| Website | https://www.xiasbio.com/home/ |
| Description | A Presentation to Keyworth U3A |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of research on Spider silk to Keyworth University of the 3rd Age (U3A) Science, Technology and Research (STaR) group. This included a number of retired engineers and scientists who offered suggestions on applications of the research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://www.keyworthu3a.org.uk/kdigstar1.html |
| Description | Press release on Research |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | We produced a press release on our paper in Advanced materials and this was widely picked up in the media with articles in: Print Media: Nottingham Post, Labtech, Chemistry World; C&EN; Journal of Dyers and Weavers Online Blogs: Advanced Science News; Chemistry World Radio Broadcasts: BBC Radio 4 Today Programme; Drive-time; Radio Scotland; CBS network Radio (USA); Radio Columbia |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |