Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are among the leading causes of cancer related deaths throughout the world. The survival rate for this type of cancer is extremely low and has not changed significantly in recent decades. There is an imperative need to study tumor progression in a representative model in order to generate more knowledge about this disease as well as develop more effective treatment options. Multiple methods already exist for studying HNSCC and other types of cancers, including in vitro and in vivo models. Although in vivo models are more representative of the human carcinomas in terms of complexity of the microenvironment the tumor cells experience, they are difficult to manipulate and many experiments cannot be performed easily in whole organisms; therefore, in vitro models are used. Current in vitro models are typically two-dimensional (2D) monolayer cultures that are easily manipulated for a controlled environment, but these fail to mimic the native microenvironment in terms of three-dimensional (3D) interactions present in vivo. The literature documents that several 3D organotypic models of HNSCC have been created, showing significant differences in tumor response to drugs between these models and traditional 2D culture systems, perhaps suggesting a closer representation of human HNSCC. However, these models were not rigorously validated, with little comparison to in vivo tumor behavior. We developed a 3D HNSCC in vitro model using electrospun scaffolds to mimic the extracellular matrix as well as using a HNSCC-derived tumor cell line, HN12, in co-culture with a supporting fibroblast cell line. We compared the model to the same tumor cell line grown in vivo in immunodeficient mice. We also investigated drug sensitivity of tumor cells in our model compared to conventional monocultures to determine whether differences exist. Finally, we investigated pro-angiogenic properties of tumor cells in this model. The long-term goal is to develop a model that can be manipulated easily to study tumorigenic mechanisms and potential treatments.

Silk proteins have provided a source of unique and versatile building blocks in the fabrication of biomedical devices for addressing a range of applications. Critical to advancing this field is the ability to establish an understanding of these proteins in their native and engineered states as well as in developing scalable processing strategies, which can fully exploit or enhance the stability, structure, and functionality of the two constituent proteins, silk fibroin and sericin. The research outlined in this dissertation focuses on the evolution in architecture and capability of silks, to effectively position a functionally-diverse, renewable class of silk materials within the rapidly expanding field of smart biomaterials. Study of the process of building macroscopic silk fibers provides insight into the initial steps in the broader picture of silk assembly, yielding biomaterials with greatly improved attributes in the assembled state over those of protein precursors alone. Self-organization processes in silk proteins enable their aggregation into highly organized architectures through simple, physical association processes. In this work, a model is developed for the process of aqueous behavior and aggregation, and subsequent two-dimensional behavior of natural silk sericin, to enable formation of a range of distinct, complex architectures. This model is then translated to an engineered system of fibroin microparticles, demonstrating the role of similar phenomena in creating autonomously-organized structures, providing key insight into future “bottom up” assembly strategies. The aqueous behavior of the water-soluble silk sericin protein was then exploited to create biocomposites capable of enhanced response and biocompatibility, through a novel protein-template strategy. In this work, sericin was added to the biocompatible and biodegradable poly(amino acid), poly(aspartic acid), to improve its pH-dependent swelling response. This work demonstrated the production of a range of porous scaffolds capable providing meaningful response to environmental stimuli, with application in tissue engineering scaffolds and biosensing technologies. Finally, to expand the capabilities of silk proteins beyond process-driven parameters to directly fabricate engineered architectures, a method for silk photopatterning was explored, enabling the direct fabrication of biologically-relevant structures at the micro and nanoscales. Using a facile bioconjugation strategy, native silk proteins could be transformed into proteins with a photoactive capacity. The well-established platform of photolithography could then be incorporated into fabrication strategies to produce a range of architectures capable of addressing spatially-directed material requirements in cell culture and further applications in the use of non-toxic, renewable biological materials.

Neste trabalho, a irradiação por feixe de elétrons foi estudada como uma ferramenta para a reticulação do tecido de pericárdio bovino (PB). A conjugação de quitosana e fibroína de seda no tecido de PB liofilizado também foi objeto de estudo deste trabalho. Para isto, amostras de PB foram liofilizadas e irradiadas em um acelerador de elétrons utilizando-se diferentes doses e taxas de dose. Essas amostras foram analisadas por calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), análises termogravimétricas (TGA), espectroscopia Raman, teste de intumescimento, microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET), testes de tração e quanto sua biofuncionalidade. Após as análises foi possível concluir que a irradiação do tecido na ausência de oxigênio favorece a reticulação das fibras de colágeno, enquanto na presença de oxigênio observou-se preferencialmente a cisão das fibras de colágeno. Ambas as amostras apresentaram diminuição de suas propriedades mecânicas. Também pôde-se concluir que a irradiação tanto na ausência quanto na presença de oxigênio produz um novo biomaterial cuja adesão e proliferação de células endoteliais é favorecida ao longo do tecido. Na segunda etapa deste trabalho amostras de PB liofilizadas foram incorporadas em soluções de quitosana, fibroína de seda e suas misturas (1:3, 1:1, 3:1). Depois de modificadas, as amostras foram novamente liofilizadas e submetidas à irradiação. Estas amostras foram caracterizadas por espectroscopia Raman, e avaliadas quanto sua citotoxicidade, biofuncionalidade e potencial de calcificação. Após lavagens das amostras de biomaterial com solução aquosa (NaCl 0,9%), as mesmas não apresentaram toxicidade. O teste de biofuncionalidade mostrou que as amostras de PQSFI (todas as proporções) favoreceram a adesão e crescimento das células endoteliais. Todas as amostras induziram a calcificação, entretanto apresentaram uma relação Ca/P menor do que a da hidroxiapatita. / In this work, electron beam irradiation was studied as a crosslinker of bovine pericardium tissue (BP). The treatment of BP with chitosan and silk fibroin was also the goal of this study. Samples of BP were freeze-dried and irradiated in an electron beam accelerator using different doses and dose rates. Samples were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman spectroscopy, water uptake tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), tensile tests and evaluation as biofunctionality. After analysis, it was concluded that irradiation of the tissue in the absence of oxygen promotes crosslinking of collagen fibers. On the other hand, in the presence of oxygen the chain scission of the collagen fibers was observed, and both samples suffered a decrease in their mechanical properties. It was also concluded that irradiation, both in the absence or presence of oxygen, promotes the adhesion and proliferation of endothelial cells throughout the tissue. In the second part of this work, lyophilized BP were incorporated into chitosan, silk fibroin solutions and mixtures of chitosan/silk fibroin in the ratio of 1:3, 1:1, 3:1. Then, the samples were again lyophilized and submitted to irradiation. These samples were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, and tested for their cytotoxicity, biofunctionality, and calcification. After washing the biomaterial with aqueous solution (NaCl 0.9%), the samples did not show cytotoxicity. Biofunctionality test showed that PQSFI samples (all proportions) promoted the adhesion and growth of endothelial cells. All samples induced calcification, but they exhibited a Ca/P ratio lower than hydroxyapatite.

A fibroína da seda (SF) é uma proteína fibrosa, com caráter hidrofóbico, produzida pelo bicho-da-seda (Bombyx mori L.), cuja produção e armazenamento ocorre em glândulas especializadas antes do processo de fiação em fibras. Recentemente, soluções de fibroína de seda regenerada (RSF) têm sido utilizadas para formar diferentes materiais tais como géis, membranas, filmes e esponjas, para aplicações médicas (Medicina Regenerativa) e em sistemas de liberação de fármacos. Neste trabalho, procuramos estudar o comportamento da solução RSF 2% com adição de 0,25, 0,5 e 1% de PVA (polímero sintético e hidrofílico) por meio de ensaios de reologia dos géis obtidos (SF:PVA), e caracterização das membranas obtidas por meio da secagem em moldes dos géis. Os ensaios de reologia mostraram uma inversão de módulos, com transição de caráter elástico (G\') para viscoso (G\") para SF1 a 3%, entre 230 e 900% de deformação (\'gama\'); transição de caráter viscoso para elástico para as blendas SF:PVA 0,5 e 1% em ensaio de frequência (\'ômega\'). Com o aumento de temperatura, todas as blendas mantiveram seus comportamentos elástico (SF:PVA 0,25%) e viscoso (SF:PVA 0,5 e 1%) até 49 - 51°C, com transição líquido-gel; o aumento dos módulos G\' e G\"com o resfriamento das amostras ocorreu em todas as blendas. As membranas obtidas das blendas SF:PVA tiveram maior absorção de tampão fosfato salino (PBS) após 5 min de ensaio, no qual a blenda SF:PVA apresentou maiores valores de absorção. A caracterização das membranas por FT-IR ATR e DRX mostrou que ocorreu uma transição de conformação aleatória e hélice \'alfa\' para folha \'beta\', para todas as membranas, indicando que a adição do PVA nas blendas promoveu transições silk I para silk II. Deslocamentos de modo vibracional de 1.637/cm (amida I) para 1.616/cm (amida I) com modo centrado em 1.512/cm (amida II) foram vistos em todas as blendas no FT-IR ATR, e difratogramas apresentaram picos característicos às estruturas silk I (2\'teta\' = 10,12º, 2\'teta\' = 12,2° e 2\'teta\' = 28,2º) e silk II (2\'teta\' = 20 - 21 °1). TGA e DSC mostraram uma interação entre as cadeias de RSF c PVA, pela presença de uma temperatura única ele transição vítrea (Tg) entre RSF e PVA. Imagens AFM das blendas mostraram a presença de estruturas nanofibrilares, em formato de ilhas compactas e ramos, confirmando a transição da fase amorfa de SF 2% para hélice \'alfa\' e folha \'beta\', com a adição do PVA. / Silk fibroin (SF) is a fibrous hydrophobic protein produced by silkworms (Bombyx mori L.), which production and storage occur into specialized glands previously fiber formation. Lately, regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) solutions have been used to produce different materials such as gels, membranes, films and sponges, for medical applications and drug delivery systems. In this study, the RSF with 0.25, 0.5 anel 1% PVA (synthetic and hydrophilic polymer) blends were characterized by rheological tests of the gels (SF:PVA), also membranes produced by casting process were characterized as well. Rheological tests showed moduli inversion with elastic to viscous behavior transition for SF 1 to 3%, between 230 anel 900% of strain (\'gama\'); a transition fram viscous to elastic behavior to SF:PVA 0.5 to 1% blends into frequency sweep tests was observed. With the temperature increment, all blends have kept their viscous anel elastic behavior until 49 - 51°C, and a liquid-gel transition occurred in the SF:PVA 0.5 and 1% blends, as well as all moduli have increased with the cooling stage of the samples. All membranes had the highest buffer absorption after 5 min of test, in which SF:PVA 0.5% blend presented high absorption values. FT-IR spectra and XRD diffractograms showed a transition from random and \'alfa\'-helix to \'beta\'-sheet, for all blends, indicating that PVA addition promotes silk I to silk II transition. Modal shifts were observed from 1.637/cm (amide I) to 1.616/cm (amide I) with a central mode in 1.512/cm (amide II) in all blends in the FT-IR ATR spectra. XRD diffractograms showed characteristic peaks of silk I structures (2\'teta\' = 10,12°, 2\'teta\' = 12,2° e 2\'teta\' = 28,2°) and silk II structures (2\'teta\' = 20 - 21 °1). TGA and DSC studies showed the possibility of interaction between SF and PVA chains by acquirement of mobility at once, at an intermediate temperature between SF anel PVA glass transition (Tg). AFM images exhibited different phases for all membranes, with the presence of nanofibers, wires, rods and branch islands, suggesting the formation of more organized structures, such as and \'alfa\'-helix and \'beta\'-sheet, with PVA addition.

Biomateriais que promovem e auxiliam a regeneração óssea vêm ganhando grande visibilidade em pesquisas na área de engenharia tecidual, em destaque os biocompósitos a partir de cerâmicas e polímeros. Muitos desafios abrangem essa área de pesquisa, sendo o principal, criar um material que mais se assemelha ao osso, não só em sua resistência mecânica, mas também em sua bioatividade e porosidade. Esse projeto tem como foco o desenvolvimento e processamento de blocos de biocompósito formados a partir de hidroxiapatita (HAp) e fibroína de seda (FS). A fibroína de seda, obtida a partir dos casulos do bicho-da-seda, foi lavada em solução de carbonato de sódio com concentração de 5% por 30 minutos. Sua dissolução foi realizada através de solução ternária contendo cloreto de cálcio, etanol e água, na proporção molar de 1:2:8. A HAp foi co-precipitada na FS dissolvida em solução ternária através de solução de fosfato (Na2HPO4) sob agitação constante. Os blocos foram prensados manualmente e avaliou-se sua morfologia, relação Ca/P e absorção de líquido definindo a melhor proporção de %HAp e %FS. Após a determinação da proporção 75%HAp e 25% FS, os blocos foram conformados em prensa hidráulica com pressões fixas de 50 e 100 MPa. As características morfológicas foram avaliadas através de análises de MEV, porosidade, absorção de líquidos, microtomografia computadorizada (?-CT) e medição da área superficial específica (BET). As características químicas e estruturais foram analisadas por EDS, FTIR, TGA e DRX. Além disso, avaliou-se a resistência à compressão, a bioatividade e a citotoxicidade do biocompósito. Os resultados mostram que o biocompósito estudado apresenta características químicas e estruturais próxima ao osso trabecular, resistência à compressão entre 2 e 10 MPa e porosidade entre 30% e 70%, é biocompatível e possui capacidade de formação de apatita. O biomaterial em estudo apresenta-se como uma boa perspectiva na área de engenharia tecidual óssea. / Biomaterials that promote and aid bone regeneration have gained great visibility in tissue engineering research, with emphasis on biocomposites from ceramics and polymers. Many challenges cover this area, the main is being to create a material similar to bone, not only in its mechanical strength but also in its bioactivity and porosity. This project focuses on the development and processing of biocomposite blocks formed by hydroxyapatite (HAp) and silk fibroin (SF). The silk fibroin, obtained from the cocoons of the silkworm, was washed in 5% sodium carbonate solution for 30 minutes. Its dissolution was carried out through a ternary solution containing calcium chloride, ethanol and water, in a molar ratio of 1: 2: 8. The HAp was co-precipitated in SF dissolved in ternary solution through phosphate solution (Na2HPO4) under constant stirring. The blocks were manually pressed and their morphology, Ca/P ratio and liquid absorption were evaluated to determine the best HAp/FS ratio. After defined the best ratio, 75%HAp and 25% FS, blocks were formed in a hydraulic press with fixed pressures (50 and 100 MPa). The morphological characteristics were evaluated by SEM, Porosity, Liquid Absorption, Computerized Microtomography (?-CT) and specific surface area (BET). The chemical and structural characteristics were analyzed by EDS, FTIR, TGA and XRD. In addition, the compressive strength, bioactivity and cytotoxicity of the composite were evaluated. The results show a biocomposite with chemical and structural characteristics close to the trabecular bone, mechanical resistance between 2 and 10 MPa and porosity between 30% and 70%, it is biocompatible and with apatite formation capacity. The biomaterial studied presents a good perspective in the field of bone tissue engineering.

Neste trabalho, a irradiação por feixe de elétrons foi estudada como uma ferramenta para a reticulação do tecido de pericárdio bovino (PB). A conjugação de quitosana e fibroína de seda no tecido de PB liofilizado também foi objeto de estudo deste trabalho. Para isto, amostras de PB foram liofilizadas e irradiadas em um acelerador de elétrons utilizando-se diferentes doses e taxas de dose. Essas amostras foram analisadas por calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), análises termogravimétricas (TGA), espectroscopia Raman, teste de intumescimento, microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET), testes de tração e quanto sua biofuncionalidade. Após as análises foi possível concluir que a irradiação do tecido na ausência de oxigênio favorece a reticulação das fibras de colágeno, enquanto na presença de oxigênio observou-se preferencialmente a cisão das fibras de colágeno. Ambas as amostras apresentaram diminuição de suas propriedades mecânicas. Também pôde-se concluir que a irradiação tanto na ausência quanto na presença de oxigênio produz um novo biomaterial cuja adesão e proliferação de células endoteliais é favorecida ao longo do tecido. Na segunda etapa deste trabalho amostras de PB liofilizadas foram incorporadas em soluções de quitosana, fibroína de seda e suas misturas (1:3, 1:1, 3:1). Depois de modificadas, as amostras foram novamente liofilizadas e submetidas à irradiação. Estas amostras foram caracterizadas por espectroscopia Raman, e avaliadas quanto sua citotoxicidade, biofuncionalidade e potencial de calcificação. Após lavagens das amostras de biomaterial com solução aquosa (NaCl 0,9%), as mesmas não apresentaram toxicidade. O teste de biofuncionalidade mostrou que as amostras de PQSFI (todas as proporções) favoreceram a adesão e crescimento das células endoteliais. Todas as amostras induziram a calcificação, entretanto apresentaram uma relação Ca/P menor do que a da hidroxiapatita. / In this work, electron beam irradiation was studied as a crosslinker of bovine pericardium tissue (BP). The treatment of BP with chitosan and silk fibroin was also the goal of this study. Samples of BP were freeze-dried and irradiated in an electron beam accelerator using different doses and dose rates. Samples were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman spectroscopy, water uptake tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), tensile tests and evaluation as biofunctionality. After analysis, it was concluded that irradiation of the tissue in the absence of oxygen promotes crosslinking of collagen fibers. On the other hand, in the presence of oxygen the chain scission of the collagen fibers was observed, and both samples suffered a decrease in their mechanical properties. It was also concluded that irradiation, both in the absence or presence of oxygen, promotes the adhesion and proliferation of endothelial cells throughout the tissue. In the second part of this work, lyophilized BP were incorporated into chitosan, silk fibroin solutions and mixtures of chitosan/silk fibroin in the ratio of 1:3, 1:1, 3:1. Then, the samples were again lyophilized and submitted to irradiation. These samples were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, and tested for their cytotoxicity, biofunctionality, and calcification. After washing the biomaterial with aqueous solution (NaCl 0.9%), the samples did not show cytotoxicity. Biofunctionality test showed that PQSFI samples (all proportions) promoted the adhesion and growth of endothelial cells. All samples induced calcification, but they exhibited a Ca/P ratio lower than hydroxyapatite.

Blendas poliméricas de biopolímeros, além de apresentarem uma melhora das propriedades do material, ainda possuem as vantagens de serem biocompatíveis, biodegradáveis e apresentar baixa toxicicidade, como no caso de blendas de alginato de sódio e fibroína de seda. Membranas confeccionadas a partir desta mistura apresentam grande potencial no desenvolvimento de curativos de alto desempenho, proporcionando condições ótimas de cicatrização. Entretanto, o processo de mistura destes biopolímeros é bastante complexo e resulta na separação de fases, processo que ainda não foi muito explorado. Este trabalho buscou explorar experimentalmente o comportamento do equilíbrio de fases dos sistemas aquosos contendo fibroína de seda e alginato de sódio em diversos valores de pH. Soluções aquosas de fibroína foram previamente preparadas por meio de processo de diálise, e soluções de alginato, por meio de dissolução direta em água. Ambas as soluções eram misturadas em concentrações em que se desejava avaliar o comportamento de fases. Após a separação de fases, a fase líquida sobrenadante era coletada, a fibroína quantificada via espectrofotometria e o alginato, via calcinação. Observou-se que a região monofásica do diagrama de fases é pequena, e a separação de uma segunda fase ocorre em concentrações baixas dos dois biopolímeros. A separação de fases pôde ser descrita como a precipitação da fibroína pela adição de alginato, e a solubilidade da fibroína pôde ser descrita por meio da equação de Cohn. As curvas de solubilidade obtidas não apresentaram diferenças significativas em função do pH. Medidas do potencial Zeta de soluções de alginato e fibroína em diversas faixas de pH não mostraram diferenças significativas quanto à carga superficial das moléculas, o que é compatível com a ausência de influência do pH no equilíbrio de fases. / Polymer blends formed by biopolymers may show an improvement of material properties (compared to the pure biopolymers), and present advantages such as biocompatibility, biodegradability and low toxicity. An interesting biopolymer blend is that formed by sodium alginate and silk fibroin. Membranes prepared with this mixture show great potential in the development of high-performance wound dressing, since it provides optimum healing conditions. However, the mixing process of these two biopolymers is complex and has not been extensively explored. In this work the phase equilibrium behavior of aqueous systems containing silk fibroin and sodium alginate was experimentally studied at different pH values. Fibroin aqueous solutions were previously prepared through dialysis, and alginate solutions were prepared by direct dissolution in water. Both solutions were mixed at the concentration range in which the phase behavior of the system was to be assessed. After phase separation, the supernatant liquid phase was separated, the fibroin was quantified through spectrophotometry. and the alginate was quantified through calcination. The single-phase region of the phase diagram is small, and the separation of a second phase occurs at low concentrations of both biopolymers. The phase separation could be described as the precipitation of fibroin due to the addition of alginate, and the solubility of fibroin was described by the Cohn equation. The solubility was not significantly affected by the pH. The Zeta potential of either alginate or fibroin, measured in solutions of different pH values, did not present any significant difference concerning the surface charges of these macromolecules. This finding agrees with the absence of pH influence upon the phase equilibrium.

Blendas poliméricas de biopolímeros, além de apresentarem uma melhora das propriedades do material, ainda possuem as vantagens de serem biocompatíveis, biodegradáveis e apresentar baixa toxicicidade, como no caso de blendas de alginato de sódio e fibroína de seda. Membranas confeccionadas a partir desta mistura apresentam grande potencial no desenvolvimento de curativos de alto desempenho, proporcionando condições ótimas de cicatrização. Entretanto, o processo de mistura destes biopolímeros é bastante complexo e resulta na separação de fases, processo que ainda não foi muito explorado. Este trabalho buscou explorar experimentalmente o comportamento do equilíbrio de fases dos sistemas aquosos contendo fibroína de seda e alginato de sódio em diversos valores de pH. Soluções aquosas de fibroína foram previamente preparadas por meio de processo de diálise, e soluções de alginato, por meio de dissolução direta em água. Ambas as soluções eram misturadas em concentrações em que se desejava avaliar o comportamento de fases. Após a separação de fases, a fase líquida sobrenadante era coletada, a fibroína quantificada via espectrofotometria e o alginato, via calcinação. Observou-se que a região monofásica do diagrama de fases é pequena, e a separação de uma segunda fase ocorre em concentrações baixas dos dois biopolímeros. A separação de fases pôde ser descrita como a precipitação da fibroína pela adição de alginato, e a solubilidade da fibroína pôde ser descrita por meio da equação de Cohn. As curvas de solubilidade obtidas não apresentaram diferenças significativas em função do pH. Medidas do potencial Zeta de soluções de alginato e fibroína em diversas faixas de pH não mostraram diferenças significativas quanto à carga superficial das moléculas, o que é compatível com a ausência de influência do pH no equilíbrio de fases. / Polymer blends formed by biopolymers may show an improvement of material properties (compared to the pure biopolymers), and present advantages such as biocompatibility, biodegradability and low toxicity. An interesting biopolymer blend is that formed by sodium alginate and silk fibroin. Membranes prepared with this mixture show great potential in the development of high-performance wound dressing, since it provides optimum healing conditions. However, the mixing process of these two biopolymers is complex and has not been extensively explored. In this work the phase equilibrium behavior of aqueous systems containing silk fibroin and sodium alginate was experimentally studied at different pH values. Fibroin aqueous solutions were previously prepared through dialysis, and alginate solutions were prepared by direct dissolution in water. Both solutions were mixed at the concentration range in which the phase behavior of the system was to be assessed. After phase separation, the supernatant liquid phase was separated, the fibroin was quantified through spectrophotometry. and the alginate was quantified through calcination. The single-phase region of the phase diagram is small, and the separation of a second phase occurs at low concentrations of both biopolymers. The phase separation could be described as the precipitation of fibroin due to the addition of alginate, and the solubility of fibroin was described by the Cohn equation. The solubility was not significantly affected by the pH. The Zeta potential of either alginate or fibroin, measured in solutions of different pH values, did not present any significant difference concerning the surface charges of these macromolecules. This finding agrees with the absence of pH influence upon the phase equilibrium.

Mitt examensarbete har gått ut på att skapa en textil utsmyckning i siden, uppbyggd av många små delar. Tygerna är färgade för hand i gryta med hjälp av syrafärger och delarna är sydda eller klippta i tre olika bestämda former. Jag har efterliknat en spets med hjälp av en ausbrennervara som fungerar som bakgrundstyg. Utsmyckningen, som är tänkt för offentliga miljöer, är 3x3 meter och hänger från taket. Inspirationen har jag hämtat från underkläder, gamar och ett kvartsitbrott.Textile decoration for the public space, made of silk and burnout-fabric. / Program: Textildesignutbildningen

Cette thèse, qui s'appuie sur ma pratique artistique personnelle, analyse l'identité, l'origine, la valeur et la place de la main dans l'art en sillonnant l'ancienne Route de la soie. J'étudie mon parcours de création artistique, ma culture, mes identités multiples et mes influences au regard de l'héritage légué par La Roule de la soie et la route de La création. La traversée de la Route de la soie s'articule autour de quatre thèmes: la rencontre, le contact, le croisement et la frontière. Les recherches m'ont mené sur un voyage messianique dans le but de répondre aux questions qui me hantaient: l'influence étendue de la Route de la soie sur la création artistique est-elle source de créativité? Comment peut-elle se révéler dans les œuvres d'artistes contemporains? La route de ma création artistique se croise-t-elle avec la Route de la soie? Pour répondre à ces questions, j'ai présenté ma main comme une figure qui me lie à mes origines invisibles. Dans le premier chapitre, j'explore la notion d’identité à travers les portraits de la main, puis j'étudie la notion de frontière visible et invisible. Dans le troisième chapitre, j'analyse le toucher, le goûter et le croisement avec la Route de la soie. Enfin, j'examine le contexte des paysages intérieurs et je tente de mettre en lumière l'héritage caché ainsi que les secrets de l'art local imprégné par la culture de notre région et ce à travers les croisements et les métissages culturels. / Relying on my personal artistic practice, this thesis analyzes the identity, origin, the value and the place of the "band" in the art in weaving through the old Silk Road. The analysis of my artistic creation, my culture, my multiple identities and my influences in the light of the legacy of the Silk Road and the road of the creation. The crossing of the Silk Road is structured around four themes : the meeting, contact. The crossing and the border. The research led me on a messianic trip, in the aim of finding answers to the questions that concern me : how the Silk Road influences artistic creation, is it a source of creativity? How can it be in the works of contemporary artists? How it emerges on my artistic creation? To answer these questions, I presented my band as a figure, which binds me to my multiple origins. In the first chapter I will analyze the concept of identity through the portraits of the band, then I will look into the notion of border visible and invisible. In the third chapter, I will analyze the touch, the taste and the crossing with the Silk Road. Finally, I will examine the context of interior landscapes and I will try to demonstrate the hidden legacy as well as the secrets of the local art impregnated in the culture of our region through crosses and cultural mixes.