Spider Silk Calcite Composite

Biomineralisation is a process wherein biomolecules form templates to synthesize advanced materials; for instance in bone and teeth formation. Understanding the superior mechanical properties of flexibility and mechanical strength in naturally occurring spider silk, we propose a simple and economical method of developing smart organic-inorganic composites by growing calcite crystals onto spider silk as a template. This serves to combine the mechanical properties of spider silk with the bio-mineral properties of calcium carbonate (calcite polymorph). This unique composite simulates the strength provided by a bone and the flexibility afforded by a ligament. The composite holds great promise in revolutionizing the sector of artificial joints and prosthesis. Efforts to accomplish these goals through molecular scale mimicry are described in this article.