Scientists genetically engineer silkworms to produce artificial spider silk (w/ Video)

Physics News :: Scientists genetically engineer silkworms to produce artificial spider silk (w/ Video): "'This research represents a significant breakthrough in the development of superior silk fibers for both medical and non-medical applications,' said Malcolm J. Fraser Jr., a Notre Dame professor of biological sciences. 'The generation of silk fibers having the properties of spider silks has been one of the important goals in materials science.'
'We've also made strides in improving the process of genetic engineering of these animals so that the development of additional transgenics is facilitated,' Fraser said. 'This will allow us to more rapidly assess the effectiveness of our gene manipulations in continued development of specialized silk fibers.'
'Using this entirely unique approach, we have confirmed that transgenic silkworms can be a potentially viable commercial platform for production of genetically engineered silk proteins having customizable properties of strength and elasticity,' Fraser said. 'We may even be able to genetically engineer fibers that exceed the remarkable properties of native spider silk.'"