Spider Silk Genetically Engineered

An anonymous reader writes "Commercial silk comes not from spiders, but from the silk moth (spiders are hard to coral). But spider silk is stronger, so engineers, including in the Army, would like to use it for armor, tethers, and clothing. Scientists at Nexia Biotechnologies bioengineered some in 2002, but in a two-step process not ready for prime time. According to a LiveScience article, a separate team has now created self-spinning spider-web fiber. More work is still needed to produce anything useful, but the researchers say it might happen within a decade."

Comments

Re:Accessories

[pragma_x]

Let me preface this by saying that I am not a chemist, chemical engineer or even a biologist.

Dragline silk is made primarily of two proteins, called ADF-3 and ADF-4. These are produced in a gland in the spider's abdomen, using the same amino acids that your body uses to produce skin and hair. ADF-4 allows for the rapid production of fiber, and ADF-3 regulates this production. Each protein is made by a specific gene.

Gat's team put these genes into a genetically engineered virus, then let the virus infect the cultured caterpillar cells. The cells produced silk proteins, and then spider fibers formed spontaneously in the petri dish.

Looks like the stuff might be easy to spin into silk, since it does it on a molecular level on its own. Maybe all you need is these silk protiens stored in a solvent that evaporates rapidly, stored under pressure; who knows. I suppose the result wouldn't be too unlike a can of crazy string or spider-man's wrist-mounted launching device.

Combine that with some gecko-tape gloves and shoes and you'll be fighting crime in no time.

Obligatory Spelling Nazi post....

[Wandering Wombat]

It's "corral", not "coral". Coral is dead sea creatures.... corral is a place for storing animals, and also the act of storing animals.

I really can't believe I'm so anal as to not only notice the error, but point it out to this extent. Thats what I get for being a spelling bee champ marrying into a farming family.