Synthetic Spider Silk Production

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Questions and Answers

What do the springy sections of spider silk protein provide?

Durability against wear and tear

Resistance to extreme temperatures

Color variations in the silk

Elasticity or stretch (correct)

Which process did researchers use to make copies of the DNA segments for synthetic spider silk?

Restriction enzyme digestion

Transcription

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (correct)

Gene cloning

What did scientists study to develop a new process for spinning synthetic spider silk?

Spiders' feeding habits

Natural silk production in spiders (correct)

Spider web architecture

The environmental impact of spider silk

What is the molecular structure of spider silk proteins primarily made of?

Long chains with repeating segments Signup and view all the answers

Where are the silk-making proteins located in spiders?

In glands in their abdomens Signup and view all the answers

What key characteristic of spider silk has inspired researchers to mimic it?

Its elasticity and strength Signup and view all the answers

Which two areas could benefit from the use of synthetic spider silk according to researchers?

Medicine and manufacturing Signup and view all the answers

Who is one of the researchers actively involved in creating synthetic spider silk?

Anna Rising Signup and view all the answers

What potential problem related to proteins does Jan Johansson study that connects to his interest in spider silk?

Protein clumping in Alzheimer’s disease Signup and view all the answers

What motivated Anna Rising to shift her focus from veterinary medicine to synthetic spider silk research?

An interest in chemical processes in living organisms Signup and view all the answers

At which two institutions do Rising and Johansson collaborate?

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Karolinska Institute Signup and view all the answers

In what way is the process of creating synthetic spider silk described in the content?

As difficult and complex Signup and view all the answers

Which spider species is mentioned in connection with the research on synthetic spider silk?

Nephila clavipes Signup and view all the answers

What was the main problem the researchers faced after creating the synthetic spider silk protein?

The produced protein was not soluble in water. Signup and view all the answers

Which two spider species contributed to the design of the hybrid synthetic spider silk protein?

Araneus ventricosus and Araneus africanus Signup and view all the answers

What feature of the synthetic spider silk was optimized to enhance its solubility in water?

The amino acid composition of the protein Signup and view all the answers

What process did the researchers use to incorporate the spider DNA into bacteria?

Transformation of the bacteria with DNA fragments Signup and view all the answers

What part of the synthetic spider silk's development involved manipulating pH levels?

Spinning the proteins into fibers Signup and view all the answers

How were the proteins from the two spider species ultimately utilized?

They were combined to create a hybrid protein. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic did the research team aim to replicate from the natural silk protein of Araneus africanus?

The high concentration of protein repeats Signup and view all the answers

What was the maximum concentration of the protein solution achieved in the research?

50 percent Signup and view all the answers

What is the current strength of synthetic spider silk compared to natural spider silk?

One-third as strong Signup and view all the answers

Why is raising spiders for natural silk considered impractical?

Each spider must be raised alone to prevent cannibalism. Signup and view all the answers

What potential medical application does synthetic spider silk have?

Repairing tendons Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the unique properties of spider silk highlighted in the content?

Combination of strength and elasticity Signup and view all the answers

What does Lewis suggest about the new process of creating synthetic silk?

It could simplify the spinning process significantly. Signup and view all the answers

How long did it take for Rising and her team to find a way to mimic spider silk spinning?

Thirteen years Signup and view all the answers

In which field could synthetic spider silk be applied to enhance military protective gear?

Prevents infections from injuries Signup and view all the answers

What alternative uses for spider silk were mentioned beyond making fibers?

Coatings, gels, films, or adhesives Signup and view all the answers

What effect does a decrease in pH have on the protein solution during the spinning process?

It causes the proteins to link up and fall out of the solution. Signup and view all the answers

How does the new spinning process developed by Rising's group compare to previous methods?

It allows for a higher protein concentration in the solution. Signup and view all the answers

What was a characteristic of the silk protein created by Lewis’s group?

It had a significantly lower protein content. Signup and view all the answers

What specific characteristic of the silk protein does Lewis believe would strengthen the strands?

More repeats within the protein structure. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the protein solution when it's forced through a narrow tip into a beaker?

It exits as a jet stream that interacts with an acidic solution. Signup and view all the answers

In which publication did the study on synthetic spider silk by Rising and Johansson’s group appear?

Nature Chemical Biology Signup and view all the answers

What feature of the tube's design in Rising's process contributes to the formation of synthetic silk?

The tip of the tube has a narrowing diameter. Signup and view all the answers

What do Rising and Johansson agree on regarding the structure of synthetic silk?

More repeats could potentially improve silk strength. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Spinning Synthetic Spider Silk

Researchers have developed a method to create synthetic spider silk that mimics the natural spinning process of spiders.
The new approach combines protein components from two different spider species, making it soluble in water for easier manipulation.

Key Researchers and Background

Anna Rising and Jan Johansson are biochemists from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.
Rising’s initial interest in synthetic spider silk stemmed from her background as a veterinarian and her focus on biochemical processes.
Johansson has connections to Alzheimer's disease research, linking protein clumping in the brain to spider silk protein formation.

Mechanism of Spider Silk Formation

Spider silk proteins consist of long chains with structural similarities to towers of stacked Lego blocks.
Proteins have regions of repeating structures (repeats) which provide strength, and elastic regions that allow stretch.

Genetic Engineering Process

To synthesize the silk, researchers studied the genes of the African fishing spider (Euprosthenops australis) and the Asian spider (Araneus ventricosus).
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to amplify DNA segments responsible for making silk proteins.
The hybrid protein combines the solubility traits of the Asian spider's silk and the strength properties of the African spider’s silk.

Fiber Spinning Technique

The synthetic protein solution is pumped through a narrowing tube which simulates pH changes as seen in spider glands.
As the solution exits into an acidic bath, the drop in pH causes proteins to link, forming silk fibers that can be collected and wound onto spools.

Comparative Strength and Potential Applications

The resulting synthetic silk is approximately one-third the strength of natural spider silk with minimal repeating structures.
Applications for synthetic spider silk include:
- Medical uses such as sutures, tendon repairs, nerve regeneration, and tissue scaffolding.
- Military clothing and gear for protection against explosive fragments.
- Industrial applications in manufacturing lightweight materials for vehicles and aircraft.

Future Considerations

More research is necessary to optimize the silk's fiber strength and solubility for mass production.
The project presents a significant advancement in mimicking natural silk production methods while addressing practical challenges associated with spider farming.

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Description

Explore the innovative methods used to spin synthetic spider silk by combining protein parts from different spider species. This quiz delves into the research conducted at the Karolinska Institute and its implications for material science and biotechnology.