All-protein implantable, resorbable reflectors

Abstract

The invention provides for compositions and process for fabricating an optical reflector constructed from biocompatible and bioresorbable silk fibroin proteins. For example, the silk retroreflectors may be built based on millimeter size microprism arrays to rotate the image plane of imaged cortical layers, thus enhancing the amount of photons that are detectable in the reflected direction when inserted in a sample to be analyzed, and ultimately increasing in contrast ratio in multiphoton microscopy. Such device can be used as a label-free, biocompatible, bioresorbable, implantable device for various applications ranging from medical imaging/diagnostics, drug/therapeutic delivery, to food chain safety and environmental monitoring.

1 - 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . A composition comprising a silk fibroin matrix and a plurality of metal nanoparticles dispersed therein. 
     
     
         46 . The composition of  claim 45 , wherein the silk fibroin matrix comprises at least one active agent embedded therein. 
     
     
         47 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the silk fibroin matrix is a controlled delivery vehicle for the at least one active agent. 
     
     
         48 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the at least one active agent is selected from the group consisting of:
 therapeutic agents; cells; proteins, peptides, nucleic acids and analogs thereof; nucleotides; oligonucleotides; peptide nucleic acids; aptamers; antibodies and fragments or portions thereof; antigens or epitopes; hormones; hormone antagonists; growth factors; cell attachment mediators; cytokines; cytotoxins; enzymes; small molecules; drugs; dyes; amino acids; vitamins; antioxidants; antibiotics antimicrobial compounds; anti-inflammation agents; antifungals; viruses; antivirals; toxins; prodrugs; chemotherapeutic agents; and any combinations thereof.   
     
     
         49 . The composition of  claim 45 , wherein the plurality of metal nanoparticles comprises a plurality of gold nanoparticles. 
     
     
         50 . The composition of  claim 47 , wherein the at least one active agent is selected from the group consisting of:
 therapeutic agents; cells; proteins, peptides, nucleic acids and analogs thereof; nucleotides; oligonucleotides; peptide nucleic acids; aptamers; antibodies and fragments or portions thereof; antigens or epitopes; hormones; hormone antagonists; growth factors; cell attachment mediators; cytokines; cytotoxins; enzymes; small molecules; drugs; dyes; amino acids; vitamins; antioxidants; antibiotics antimicrobial compounds; anti-inflammation agents; antifungals; viruses; antivirals; toxins; prodrugs; chemotherapeutic agents; and any combinations thereof.   
     
     
         51 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the plurality of metal nanoparticles comprises a plurality of gold nanoparticles. 
     
     
         52 . The composition of  claim 47 , wherein the plurality of metal nanoparticles comprises a plurality of gold nanoparticles. 
     
     
         53 . The composition of  claim 48 , wherein the plurality of metal nanoparticles comprises a plurality of gold nanoparticles. 
     
     
         54 . The composition of  claim 50 , wherein the plurality of metal nanoparticles comprises a plurality of gold nanoparticles.