From Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation to Silk Fibroin Biomaterial Design: Multiscale Modeling and Experimental Approaches

The project aims to elucidate and control the mechanisms of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in silk fibroin to develop biomaterials with programmable structure and functionality. Experiments and computational modeling will be integrated, focusing on the effects of protein concentration, ionic composition, pH, and hydrophobic interactions on coacervate formation and evolution. Phase diagrams, microscopy, and spectroscopic methods will be combined with coarse-grained models to connect molecular parameters with macroscopic behavior. The stabilization of condensates and their conversion into films or other solid architectures will be investigated in relation to secondary structure, stability, and response in biologically relevant environments, providing rational design rules for innovative silk-fibroin biomaterials.