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Title: Unveiling the topmost layers of spider silks by ultra-high resolution mapping of sections
While spider silk threads mainly consist of a core of partially crystalline silk proteins, it has been found that they also exhibit a very thin skin layer of distinct structure and a coating rich in lipids and glycoproteins. These outer layers are poorly researched, but can be assumed to be a major player governing the interaction of cells with spider silk threads, as observed in cell culture. Here we propose SAXS/WAXS mapping with ultra-high spatial resolution to examine the surface layer of thin cryo-cut sections of different spider silks that have shown different cell guiding behavior in cell culture. This approach allows studying surface layers from two orientations (along and normal to fiber axis) and the cryo-approach minimizes morphological changes. In a recent nano-SAXS/WAXS beamtime at ID13, we obtained very promising data, however with whole threads and with lower resolution. This follow-up work aims to characterize the surface layer systematically.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1905902 2105158
PAR ID:
10383120
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
European Synchrotron Radiation Facility
Date Published:
Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
Life Sciences LS-3087 ID13
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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