High-Throughput In Vitro Expression and Morphological Characterization of Silk Nanofibrils

We report a method for high-throughput in vitro expression and morphological characterization of silk nanofibrils. We combine cell-free protein synthesis and droplet microfluidics, accomplishing in-vitro silk protein expression in nanoliter droplets. We also developed a microwell device to isolate and dry massive numbers of droplets on a silicon substrate, allowing the assembly of silk nanofibrils. The dried samples are readily available for atomic force microscopical characterization. The developed approach thus proposes a high-throughput and efficient means of morphological characterization and evolution of silk nanofibrils and other proteinous materials in vitro.