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US 2020/0399328 A1Published application
Silk fibers
AssigneeBolt Threads, Inc.
InventorsDavid BRESLAUER, Lindsay WRAY, Joshua KITTLESON
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and compositions are provided for improved proteinaceous block copolymer fibers based on long repeat units having molecular weight of greater than about 10 kDal. Each repeat unit includes more than about 150 amino acid residues that are organized into a number of “quasi-repeat units.” The fibers have improved mechanical properties that better recapitulate those of the native silk fibers.
Claims21
A proteinaceous block copolymer fiber, wherein the block copolymer comprises:
- at least two occurrences of a repeat unit, the repeat unit comprising:
- more than 150 amino acid residues and having a molecular weight of at least 10 kDal;
- an alanine-rich region with 6 or more consecutive amino acids, comprising an alanine content of at least 80%;
- a glycine-rich region with 12 or more consecutive amino acids, comprising a glycine content of at least 40% and an alanine content of less than 30%;
- and
- wherein the fiber comprises at least one property selected from the group consisting of a modulus of elasticity greater than 550 cN/tex, an extensibility of at least 10% and an ultimate tensile strength of at least 15 cN/tex.
3 more elements
-14. (canceled)
A method of synthesizing a proteinaceous block copolymer fiber, the method comprising:
- expressing a block copolymer polypeptide wherein the block copolymer comprises at least two repeat units, each repeat unit comprising:
- more than 150 amino acid residues and having a molecular weight of at least 20 kDal;
- an alanine-rich region with 6 or more consecutive amino acids, comprising an alanine content of at least 80%;
- and
- a glycine-rich region with 12 or more consecutive amino acids, comprising a glycine content of at least 40% and an alanine content of less than 30%;
- formulating a spin dope comprising the expressed polypeptide and at least one solvent;
- and
- extruding the spin dope through a spinneret and through at least one coagulation bath to form the fiber, wherein
- the fiber comprises a property selected from the group consisting of a modulus of elasticity greater than 400 cN/tex, an extensibility of at least 10% and an ultimate tensile strength of at least 15 cN/tex.
6 more elements
-45. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.