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New material from silk protein and silver nanoparticles may make implants safe

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8 years ago

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New material from silk protein and silver nanoparticles may make implants safe

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]By Dr P Surat

A scaffold made from silk protein fibroin and silver nanoparticles has been found to have antimicrobial properties and may have application as a biomaterial for implants.

Orthopaedic implants can substitute or repair different tissues, such as bone, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons, but they also increase the risk of microbial infectionsby forming biofilms. Such clusters of bacteria can be highly resistant to antibioticsand, in many cases,implantsmay have to be surgically removed.  Implants made with antimicrobial material can help address this problem.

Fibroin, a protein derived from silk, helps in developing bone cells from adult stem cells.This has helped it togain acceptance for use in tissue engineering. Studies also show potential antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles. “Thus, to fight implant related infections, we incorporated silver nanoparticles in to fibroin, without compromising the biocompatibility and stem cell differentiation potential of silk films”, explained Neetu Singh, scientist at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) and a member of research team, while speaking to India Science Wire.

Dr Neetu Singh (L) and Smita Patil (R)

Dr Neetu Singh (L) and Smita Patil (R)

“We prepared a scaffold of silk fibroin films with silver nanoparticles where the nanoparticles were synthesized by an easy, convenient and environment friendly method using silk fibroin”, said Smita Patil, graduate student at IITD who was also part of the research team.

Since silver nanoparticles get easily oxidised leading to loss of antimicrobial activity, researchers used amino acids in the fibroin protein to reduce silver nitrate into silver nanoparticles.The silk fibroin solution and silver nitrate were incubated together and after being exposed to light, the solution gradually changed colour from colourless to yellow-brown, showing the formation of silver nanoparticles.

The researchers found that silk fibroin fortified with 0.5% of silver nanoparticles had similar antibacterial effects as using 8 microgram per ml of ampicillin, an antibiotic.  Although incorporating more than 0.5% of silver nanoparticles into fibroin showed even higher antimicrobial effect, it was also accompanied by increase in cell death and generation of reactive molecules.

The silk films fortified with silver nanoparticles were incubated with osteocytes or cells that form bone overnight. Then, to simulate conditions of bacterial infection, S. aureus bacteria was added to these cells. Cells with films that contained as low as 0.1% of silver nanoparticles could resist the formation of S. aureus biofilms, support the growth of osteoblasts, and maintain calcium levels. These effects were observed even post seven days after adding the bacteria.

Although the mechanisms of how silver nanoparticles achieve antibacterial effects are not very well understood, the study proposes thatsilver ions can kill bacteria by attaching and penetrating theircell wall or releasing reactive molecules.“We believe that these scaffolds may be a promising material for bone tissue engineering” said Singh.The study results have been published in journal Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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PM Modi hails ISRO after successful GSLV-F17 launch, calls it proud moment

PM Modi congratulated ISRO after GSLV-F17 successfully launched EOS-05, calling the achievement a proud moment for India.

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2 days ago

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September 4, 2026

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation.

The GSLV-F17 lifted off at 2:55 a.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The EOS-05 satellite was subsequently placed into its designated sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.

PM Modi praises ISRO’s growing capabilities

In a post on X, PM Modi said the successful mission reflected the excellence, innovation and expanding capabilities of India’s space sector.

He also highlighted the growing partnership between ISRO and Indian industry, saying it was strengthening India’s space programme and expanding capabilities across the wider space ecosystem.

The prime minister described the successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 as another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a matter of national pride.

EOS-05 strengthens earth observation capabilities

According to the report, EOS-05 is India’s first-ever imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit. The satellite is designed to provide continuous observation of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 km above Earth.

The mission is expected to strengthen India’s earth observation capabilities and support advanced imaging and observation applications.

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan expressed satisfaction with the mission, saying the satellite was precisely injected into its intended orbit.

Mission Director Thomas Kurian described the launch as a significant milestone for the GSLV programme. He said it was the 19th flight of the GSLV and noted that EOS-05 is the heaviest satellite the launch vehicle has placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit or sub-GTO orbit.

GSLV-F17 launch vehicle details

The GSLV-F17 stands 51.7 metres tall and has an approximate liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes.

Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also congratulated the ISRO team following the successful mission. He described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite capable of advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands.

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Indian-origin astronaut Anil Menon begins first mission to International Space Station

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has launched aboard Soyuz MS-29 on his first mission to the International Space Station, where he is expected to spend around eight months conducting research.

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2 months ago

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July 14, 2026

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Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has embarked on his first journey into space after successfully launching aboard Russia’s Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS).

The mission lifted off from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 8:17 PM on Tuesday. Menon was accompanied by Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina as the three-member crew began their expedition to the orbiting laboratory.

Crew to spend about eight months aboard ISS

The Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft is expected to dock with the International Space Station a little over three hours after launch. Once aboard the ISS, the crew will carry out a range of scientific research and technology demonstration projects during their mission.

The expedition is scheduled to last approximately eight months, with the crew expected to return to Earth in 2027 after completing their planned activities in orbit.

Menon’s maiden spaceflight marks a significant milestone in his astronaut career as he joins the International Space Station crew for long-duration research and operational work.

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Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to meet PM Modi after return from historic space mission

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently returned from the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 mission, will meet PM Modi this evening. Parliament will also hold a special discussion on his historic journey.

Published

1 year ago

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August 18, 2025

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Subhanshu shukla

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening at his official residence in New Delhi.

PM Modi to host meeting with astronaut

According to officials, the meeting at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg is expected to take place between 5 pm and 5:30 pm. Shukla, who arrived in India on Sunday, will also be part of the National Space Day celebrations scheduled for August 23.

Warm welcome in India

The astronaut was greeted at the airport by his family, Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and hundreds of citizens waving the national flag. Shukla had been in the United States for a year, preparing for the Axiom-4 mission, which launched from Florida on June 25 and docked at the ISS the next day. He served as the mission’s pilot.

Emotional note from Shukla

Before his return, Shukla shared an emotional post on Instagram, expressing mixed feelings of leaving his space colleagues while being eager to meet his loved ones and people of India. He also quoted a song from the film Swades, which he had chosen as his anthem on the launch day.

Parliament session on India’s space journey

In honour of Shukla’s mission, the Lok Sabha is holding a special session today to discuss “India’s first astronaut aboard the ISS – critical role of space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047.” Union minister Kiren Rijiju said the discussion would highlight the importance of India’s space achievements and future goals.

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