The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for directed to synthetic block copolymer proteins, expression constructs for their secretion, recombinant microorganisms for their production, and synthetic fibers (including advantageously, microfibers) comprising these proteins that recapitulate many properties of natural silk. The recombinant microorganisms can be used for the commercial production of silk-like fibers.

A film of the present invention contains a polypeptide derived from spider silk proteins. The decomposition temperature of the film is 240 to 260 C. The film absorbs ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 200 to 300 nm and has a light transmittance of 85% or more at a wavelength of 400 to 780 nm. The film is transparent and colorless in a visible light region. A method for producing a film of the present invention includes: dissolving a polypeptide derived from spider silk proteins in a dimethyl sulfoxide solvent to prepare a dope; and cast-molding the dope on a surface of a base. Thus, the present invention provides a spider silk protein film that can be formed easily and has favorable stretchability, and a method for producing the same.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for producing an extruded protein product. In particular, a system for making an extruded protein product using a system that includes a die including channel having a transverse cross section that is a continuous loop along at least a portion of the length of the die is disclosed.

In one aspect, a method includes providing support material within which the structure is fabricated, depositing, into the support material, structure material to form the fabricated structure, and removing the support material to release the fabricated structure from the support material. The provided support material is stationary at an applied stress level below a threshold stress level and flows at an applied stress level at or above the threshold stress level during fabrication of the structure. The provided support material is configured to mechanically support at least a portion of the structure and to prevent deformation of the structure during the fabrication of the structure. The deposited structure material is suspended in the support material at a location where the structure material is deposited. The structure material comprises a fluid that transitions to a solid or semi-solid state after deposition of the structure material.

Methods and devices are described for using a controlled extensional strain to organize prefibrillar collagen and/or elastin solutions into an organized array of fibrils. The organized array of collagen fibrils produced by the disclosed methods and devices can be used for tissue engineering applications.

A composite nerve conduit comprising an elongated body comprising one or more hollow elongated internal channels for guiding and promoting nerve regeneration. The conduit is a three-dimensional scaffold comprising a crosslinked hybrid/composite matrix of collagen and soy protein isolate having improved mechanical and biocompatibility properties. Methods of using the conduit for promoting nerve regeneration at a site of neural tissue damage by bridging wounded, severed, or damaged nerve sections in a peripheral and/or central nervous system. Methods of fabricating composite neural conduits are also disclosed.

A composition for producing a sheet material with a cellular structure, the composition including the following components: (a) about 5 to about 25 weight % gelatine, (b) about 25 to 60 weight % filler material, (c) about 15 to about 40 weight % water, and (d) a cellular structure promoting agent.

A fish model to replace the use of live fish in hydroelectric studies is provided. The fish model is cast from ballistic gel to include the density, dimensions, and weight distribution of a selected species of living fish. The fish model is formed by additively manufacturing a mold based on a three-dimensional scan of an actual fish. The mold is then used to mass produce fish models for force measurement testing at various blade speeds, thickness, and impact angles. Each fish model includes a surrogate skin and an internal sensor for strike force measurements. Optional additional sensors include strain gauges, temperature probes, pressure probes, and load sensors, for example.

Disclosed is a molded article including a modified fibroin and a water resistance-imparting material. The modified fibroin and the water resistance-imparting material may be covalently bonded.

Described herein are apparatuses, systems, and methods for fabricating tissue constructs, such as by fabricating perfusable tissue constructs by embedding a sacrificial material into a composite matrix yield stress support bath. A composite matrix bath can include a microgel filler and a hydrogel precursor. An extrusion tip can be used for embedded printing of perfusable tissue constructs by disposing sacrificial material into the composite matrix bath while the extrusion tip travels along a predefined course through the composite matrix bath. This sacrificial material can be the printed tissue construct or can be removed to render the matrix bath a perfusable tissue construct. The composite matrix bath can include acellular or cell-laden hydrogels. The sacrificial material can include a salt and a physiological buffer or a non-cytotoxic porogen material. The hydrogel precursor can include at least one of gellan and gelatin. Cross-linking can be carried out chemically, thermally, enzymatically, or physically.