Transparent SilMA Hydrogel: Priming Microstructure Regulation for Real‐Time Cell and Organoid Visualization

Methacryloylated silk fibroin (SilMA) hydrogels (SFH) are extensively utilized in biomedical fields; however, the inherent opacity restricts their further translational use in regenerative medicine, particularly during the real-time visualization of cellular behavior. Herein, we report a highly transparent silk fibroin hydrogel (TSFH) fabricated via a bioinspired glutaraldehyde (GA)-mediated crosslinking strategy that suppresses the conformational transition from random coil to β-sheet. Remarkably, TSFH preserves its microstructural integrity by preventing micropore fusion. Furthermore, it maintains a micropore wall thickness of 400-800 nm, which closely matches the wavelength of visible light, thereby minimizing light scattering and yielding a transparent hydrogel. Additionally, TSFH exhibits sustained structural stability for over 1 month, serving as an ideal basal substrate for organoid culture and enabling detailed observation of cellular and organoid behavior. These advances represent a significant innovation in the structural modification of silk fibroin, offering a stable and transparent hydrogel platform with broad potential in translational medicine.

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Publication Details

Journal
Small
Published
2026-05-10
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202514957
Primary Topic
Silk-based biomaterials and applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Transparent SilMA Hydrogel: Priming Microstructure Regulation for Real‐Time Cell and Organoid Visualization

W L Chen, Changyu Shao, 吕汪洋, Kangren Kong et al.
Small
Silk-based biomaterials and applications
article

Transparent SilMA Hydrogel: Priming Microstructure Regulation for Real‐Time Cell and Organoid Visualization

W L Chen, Changyu Shao, 吕汪洋, Kangren Kong, Ruibo Zhao, Hui Li, Zhanjun Bu, Hongxia Dai, Hongbo Pan, Yunyang Zhang, Shuo Chen, Yao Li, Xiangdong Kong, Yunjiu Ren, Juming Yao, Jingjing Zhang
article en

Abstract

Methacryloylated silk fibroin (SilMA) hydrogels (SFH) are extensively utilized in biomedical fields; however, the inherent opacity restricts their further translational use in regenerative medicine, particularly during the real-time visualization of cellular behavior. Herein, we report a highly transparent silk fibroin hydrogel (TSFH) fabricated via a bioinspired glutaraldehyde (GA)-mediated crosslinking strategy that suppresses the conformational transition from random coil to β-sheet. Remarkably, TSFH preserves its microstructural integrity by preventing micropore fusion. Furthermore, it maintains a micropore wall thickness of 400-800 nm, which closely matches the wavelength of visible light, thereby minimizing light scattering and yielding a transparent hydrogel. Additionally, TSFH exhibits sustained structural stability for over 1 month, serving as an ideal basal substrate for organoid culture and enabling detailed observation of cellular and organoid behavior. These advances represent a significant innovation in the structural modification of silk fibroin, offering a stable and transparent hydrogel platform with broad potential in translational medicine.

Small
Zhejiang Sci-Tech University (CN), Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Communications Planning,Design & Research (CN), Zhejiang University Medical College Affiliated Stomatological Hospital (CN), Stomatology Hospital (CN), Hangzhou DAC Biotech (China) (CN), China National Silk Museum (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Openalex Percentile: Top 8%
Silk-based biomaterials and applications
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