Purrtty damned impressive study of spider silk stu
Post# of 146
https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/3/...28/7633874
Quote:
Abstract: Genetically engineered silkworms have been widely used to obtain silk with modified characteristics especially by introducing spider silk genes. However, these attempts are still challenging due to limitations in transformation strategies and difficulties in integration of the large DNA fragments.
In other words, they haven’t finished the job. I’ll tell you what you will NOT see in this study. You will NOT see 3 guys cradling a 25 kg hank of finished recombinant silk product like a newborn son. Proud papas don’t say much. They just stand around w/ happy smiles on their faces. They know what their ‘baby’ is gettin’ ready to do.
Quote:One thing is certain which is they, the Chinese scientific community supported by the gov’t, is not going to stop anytime soon. You see where the Funding is coming from. The Chinese are one of the biggest, if not THE biggest, producer of silkworm eggs. Don’t forget, silk first originated in China 6,000 yrs ago. It’s a huge moneymaker and an upstart in Vietnam, Kraig Biocraft, will not be welcome. That’s for sure.
Funding - This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 31925007 to A.T., 32102611 to K.C.) and the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (grant no. BK20210880 to K.C.).
PNAS Nexus is the sibling(?) journal to the PNAS, pnas.org. What exactly is the relationship between this organization and the US Gov’t is anybody’s guess. Some rabbit holes are not worth the effort. The study being published now is … coincidental, shall we say? From the study:
Quote:
Discussion (3rd para.): Numerous studies have been attempted to promote mechanical properties of silk fibers through expression exogenous proteins, notably spider silk proteins. Nonetheless, the majority of studies were restricted to the expression of one kind of protein with certain physical properties, such as extensibility, strength, or stickiness. Future clarifying relationship between the sequence structure and physical properties of silk proteins will be useful for integrating chimeric proteins combining with multiple characteristic motifs. Overall, our study provides the ideal strategy for exploiting custom-designed, mass silk production in genetically modified silkworms.
This is an intense competition for a whole lotta marbles. Sounds like they still have some work to do. Goo-makers need not apply. There is no way to know how far along the Chinese actually are. Vietnam is trying to reduce dependency on Chinese imports of silkworm eggs and Kraig just signed a groundbreaking agreement w/ Lam Dong, the ‘capital’ of silk production in Vietnam. China knows all about who we are. Make no mistake about that.
Let’s hypothesize (i.e. - guessing … ). Politically speaking, the US and China are not exactly beer buds in the local tavern. And let’s say the US military is interested in using Kraig’s recombinant silk for projectile protection, as well as for other uses; parachutes, draglines, etc. Would the US want to rely on China to supply the eggs, the silk, or the final product??? We are already in a “world of hurt” for sending kajillions of dollars of manufacturing industry (and technology) over there. Will we shoot ourselves in the foot again? Or do we want to secure the supply and protect the technology in our own backyard?
In all likelihood, The Chinese will not appreciate, nor are they interested in, ‘sharing’ the market. Of course, I don’t know but I kinda doubt it. That is the exact reason signing this agreement w/ Vietnam is so important. We have 2 pictures of the main characters holding a 25kg hank of recombinant silk so we are producing. Hammering out agreements, getting signatures on legally binding documents is paramount. Time is of the essence but laying the proper foundation is 100% necessary but not sufficient. Large scale production is. We’re working on that.
You probably already know it but I’ll remind you anyway. BUY MORE SHARES !!!
Quote:
THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.
Hope for the best, Prepare for the worst. Adapt - Improvise - Overcome
"Sic parvis magma" - Greatness from small beginnings
All the best, WBeacham