Elucidation of differential mineralisation on native and regenerated silk matrices

This study sheds light on the key role of Bombyx mori silk fibroin in regulating template-induced bone mineralisation. Textile braided structures made of natively spun fibres were compared against regenerated fibroin (lyophilised and films) by SBF immersion underpinning the influence of intrinsic properties of fibroin matrices (secondary conformation, geometry, topology, stiffness, tortuosity) on HA nucleation. Of all the matrices tested, braided structures comprising of intact native protein conformation resulted in preferential growth of HA along the physiologically preferred c-axis, forming typical needle-like nanorods and possessing Ca/P ratio comparable to commercial HA.158