Silkworms change genes for artificial silk production

Notre Dame University (France), Wyoming University (USA) and biotechnology company Kraig Biocraft (USA) have succeeded in producing genetically modified silkworms capable of pulling artificial spider silk fibers.

By recombinant DNA technology, the researchers created this genetically modified silkworm based on DNA taken from spiders. When silkworms spin cocoons, silk is produced with a combination of silk and spider silk, significantly improving elasticity and strong force compared to natural spider silk.

Silkworms of silkworms switch genes.

Mature silkworms .

' The generation of silk yarns with spider silk characteristics is one of the important goals of material science ', said Malcolm Fraser, professor of Biology at Notre Dame University. Therefore, this study is considered an important breakthrough in the development of high-grade silk yarn for medical and non-medical applications.

Natural spider silk has some unusual physical properties, in which tensile strength and elasticity are significantly higher than that of spinning natural silk yarn. Spider silk fibers have many potential applications in biomedical materials, such as self-destruct suture materials, improve wound healing tape, or make natural frames for repairing, replacing tendons and ligaments.

In addition, they are also used in bulletproof vests, new generation sports clothes, lightweight and strong fabrics, as well as improving car airbags.

Because silkworms have become a source of commercial silk, these genetically modified silkworms will effectively solve the problem of large-scale silk silk production.