fibroin

[ fahy-broh-in ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. an indigestible protein that is a principal component of spider webs and silk.

fibroin

/ ˈfaɪbrəʊɪn /

noun

1. a tough elastic protein that is the principal component of spiders' webs and raw silk

Word History and Origins

Origin of fibroin¹

1860–65; < French fibroïne; fibro-, -in ²

Example Sentences

When examined under a microscope, silk fibroin looks like spaghetti or a Jackson Pollock painting.

From Science Daily

"The silk fibroin allowed us to bring the membrane thickness down from 50 microns to five or fewer, which gets us an order of magnitude closer to what you'd see in a living organism," explained Mao.

From Science Daily

In response, the researchers developed a bilayer adhesive hemostat utilizing mussel adhesive proteins that exhibit strong tissue adhesion underwater and silk fibroin extracted from silkworm cocoons.

From Science Daily

Silk fibroin -- the structural protein of silk fibers -- can be precisely deposited onto surfaces and easily modified with other chemical and biological molecules to change its properties.

From Science Daily

Prior to the development of the hybrid transistors, the Silklab, led by Fiorenzo Omenetto, the Frank C. Doble Professor of engineering, had already used fibroin to make bioactive inks for fabrics that can detect changes in the environment or on the body, sensing tattoos that can be placed under the skin or on the teeth to monitor health and diet, and sensors that can be printed on any surface to detect pathogens like the virus responsible for COVID19.

From Science Daily