Silkworms Spin Yarn With Human Protein

Makarand writes "Genetically engineered silkworms were able to weave the human protein collagen into their cocoons according to this online article in nature magazine. The human protein ,used in applications like artificial skin and and wound dressings, could be then extracted from the silk yarn using a simple chemical process. This technique could effectively replace the current expensive processes of reaping human therapeutic proteins from bioreactors in the future. Countries that have an established sericulture industry could convert their production facilities to produce medically useful proteins."

Comments

Skin

[Spock the Baptist]

Gives an new meaning to the phrase "Skin as smooth as silk."

Converting to a different use?

[Spudley]

Countries that have an established sericulture industry could convert their production facilities to produce medically useful proteins.

So does this mean that silk ties will suddenly get much more expensive?

This story depresses me.

[L. VeGas]

Nobody is interested in my worm's protein.

humans v. nature

[MacAndrew]

Remarkable how we humans struggle to achieve artificial materials and processes, yet periodically return to strictly natural ones for their superiority. I'm not promoting the naturalistic fallacy -- that natural = better -- but it strikes me as a reminder of the power of evolution to produce sophisticated and even elegant processes.

Notice how cotton and wool have never quite been displaced as clothing. I was explaining the inferiority of polyester to my son at Target today ... I wondered why all the kids sleepwear was poly. They're treated for fire-resistance on the one hand, yet melt into your skin on the other.

I'm also reminded of our discovery of ways to hijack bacterial cellular machinery to produce insulin (Humulin) about 20 years ago. (I don't understand the article's reference to insulin produced from "mammalian cells grown in expensive bioreactors" -- it's plain old E. Coli which, although ubiquitous in humans (coli = colon), has a career of its own. The author may be thinking of conventional porcine insulin, a slaughterhouse byproduct, but that's not "grown in expensive bioreactors." Maybe I misunderstand.)

We have a while until we develop Start Trek-level nanobots, and are stuck asking nature for a hand with selected problems.

Re:humans v. nature

[MacAndrew]

I think it remarkable that anyone could call natural the act of putting human DNA into a silk worm, but I do understand your point.

Good point. So ... was Frankenstein natural? I guess the parts were all technically human, but don't forget the swapped brain and revive-from-the-dead part.

I think of rDNA used in this way as just inventing a new yoke for the oxen. With developing new lifeforms, well, then you tread the line between ... Man and God [lightning flashes in background; maniacal laughter echoes in the darkness]. :)

The nanobots did look a bit like electron micrographs I've seen of virus particles, as well as their grasp-and-inject motion. Making them out of metal? Who knows?

To avoid confusion...

[Yarn]

I'd like to point out this has nothing to do with me.

Regards,

Yarn.