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Spider Silk Expression in Alfalfa: A Recombinant Report

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Spider Silk Expression in Alfalfa: A Recombinant Report

Name:Personal
Rowan, Monica Role :Text(marcrelator)
creator

Name:Personal
Lewis, Dr. Randy Role :Text(marcrelator)
contributor

Name:Personal
Steinkraus, Dr. Holly Role :Text(marcrelator)
contributor

typeOfResource
still image genre
Origin Information Place
Laramie, Wyoming
University of Wyoming (keyDate="yes")
2009-05-15

Language:Text
eng

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born digtal

abstract
Spider silk is one of nature’s oldest biomaterials and has long been revered for its strength and flexibility. We have been working on a system that incorporates spider silk genes into alfalfa plants. The research goal is to produce an alfalfa plant capable of expressing spider silk proteins. To date we have successfully expressed a recombinant dragline silk protein (MaSp1) in alfalfa however the yield has been at a less than optimal yield. Current work is being done to optimize protein expression and generate plants capable of producing the spider silk in larger amounts. Fibers spun from the acquired synthetic silk may be used to construct designer textiles. Some proposed applications of silk encompass biomedical uses including sutures, artificial tendon and ligaments and, industrial uses include protective clothing, composite materials for building, and aerospace applications. While large scale production may be years away, the outcome of these experiments show a promising future. note
From - Undergraduate Research Day 2009 - Celebration of Research - Abstracts
Subject
Spider silk

Subject
alfalfa plants

Subject
MaSp1

Subject
recombinant dragline silk protein

Related Item:series Title Information
Undergrauate Research Day 2009

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http://digital.uwyo.edu/copyright.htm
Record Information languageOfCataloging :Text(ISO639-2B)
English :Code(ISO639-2B)
eng