Spider silk proteins represent exceptional natural polymers due to their mechanical properties in combination with biocompatibility. As both hydrophobic and slowly biodegrading biopolymers, recombinant spider silk proteins fulfill the required properties for a drug delivery system. The recombinant production of spider silk proteins allows the cost-effective fabrication of these biopolymers.
The main focus of this thesis was to obtain a reproducible all-aqueous protein film production process in order to cast spider silk films characterized by biocompatibility, water insolubility and good mechanical properties. The evaluation of spider silk films as novel carrier for various pharmaceuticals was also part of this work. Ideally, the film preparation process has to be compatible with protein encapsulation and the obtained matrix should be able to release a therapeutic protein for a prolonged time
