Understanding the molecular structure and the hierarchical organizations in spider silk proteins is critical to the goal of producing a protein-based synthetic material with properties similar to that of natural spider silk fibers. Our research group is exploring the molecular structure, protein-protein interactions, and hierarchical structures formed in major ampullate silk proteins (dragline and web-building). Advanced solid-state NMR allows for complete assignment of spider silk spectra and elucidate all secondary structure elements in spider silk fibers that have been isotopically (13C/15N) enriched. Furthermore, recently developed 2H/13C 2D NMR techniques to interrogate the molecular dynamics of spider silk proteins will be presented (representative 2H/13C 2D NMR data is shown in the figure below). All together, these studies produce an unprecedented level of detail into the molecular and hierarchical structures of natural spider silk fibers.

Using magnetic resonance techniques to probe the structure and dynamics in synthetic & natural spider silks

255th National Meeting (2018)

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