Light-illuminated New Silk Road: Emerging Silk Fibroin-Based Optical Biomedical Sensors

Abstract

Biomedical Silk Protein Optics is the subject of intensive research aimed at solving the challenges of traditional medical devices in terms of biocompatibility and performance balance. With significant potential of biomedical applications in the field of drug storage and wound monitoring, it is dedicated to reduce the perturbation of neighbouring tissues. Silk proteins' transparency and biocompatibility make them ideal materials in the field of optical device fabrication, effectively overcoming the challenges posed by conventional materials. In this paper, we explore in detail the complex aspects of design, synthesis and application related to biomedical silk protein optical devices, and comprehensively analyse the potential use of silk protein-centric microstructures (e.g., micropillars, microneedles, and photonic crystals) in the development of optical devices. It also offers insights into the challenges of applying silk protein optical devices to healthcare and their future trends, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of the advances, potential impacts and emerging research directions in the field of biomedical silk protein optical devices.