Electrospun Silk Fibers (step 24, Option K)
Electrospinning is a process by which small diameter fibers with high surface area can be produced (Fig 9)(step 24, Option K). The equipment required is relatively simple but the fibers produced are much smaller in diameter than conventionally spun fibers and the process offers the ability to incorporate molecules of interest26. In addition, fibers can be aligned by either using a rotating mandrel or inducing the Hall Effect. Electrospun mats can be sterilized by immersing the mats in 70 v/v% ethanol overnight and then subsequently rinsing them in either sterile water or PBS.
This protocol produces a non-woven isotropic mat of silk fibers. The fibers will have diameters less than 800 nm and should appear fairly uniform. SEM can be used to examine the fiber morphology, diameter, and orientation.