Development and optimization of suture materials from recombinant spider silks

Spider silks have outstanding mechanical properties and are renowned for their biocompatibility. The Rainey lab at Dalhousie University produces two types of spider silk recombinantly using a non-pathogenic strain of bacteria (Escherichia coli). Beyond circumventing the challenges inherent in harvesting silk from spiders, two additional benefits arise: (1) E. coli is extremely tractable to methods of molecular biology that allow direct and straightforward modification of proteins at the level of individual amino acids; and, (2) protein production may readily be scaled up. These capabilities will be leveraged to support technology development in collaboration with Halifax-based 3D BioFibR Inc. Specifically, recombinant silks will be spun into fibres using 3D BioFibR's proprietary contact-drawing methodology. These fibres will then be processed into forms suitable for suturing applications. The resulting suture materials will tested from chemical, structural, morphological, and mechanical perspectives, with the most promising used in preclinical trials for biocompatibility with Dr. Michael Bezuhly from Dalhousie's Departments of Surgery and Microbiology & Immunology.As a result of this project, 3D BioFibR will be able to demonstrate the suitability of its spinning process for recombinant silks and will have access to novel classes of recombinant silk-based materials tailored to suture applications. This will increase the company's competitiveness through new classes of materials. Another outcome of this NSERC Alliance-Mitacs Accelerate Grant is that highly qualified personnel will develop new skills in biomaterials processing and testing, while interacting directly with industrial scientists at 3D BioFibR providing an outstanding opportunity for direct development of knowledge translation skills.