SPIDER SILK-NEW INNOVATION

A team of Japanese researchers at Shinshu University, led by Professor Masao Nakagaki, have made a path-breaking invention by designing a pair of socks from spider thread and silk. This creation is not only comfortable but also durable.According to the researcher, “Spider silk is either very strong or very elastic, which are the two basic properties. Meanwhile, ordinary silk is very beautiful but not very strong. Considering these facts, they realized that it would be most amazing if developed a thread which has combined properties. Thus, after long research of ten years Professor Nakagaki was, finally, able to devise the spider silk.”By genetically modifying the silkworms, Nakagaki succeeded in creating spider silk consisting of 10 percent spider proteins and 90 percent silk.Professor got raw material from genetically engineered silk worm, which produces spider silk, so as to develop the genetic silk worm. This silk worm produces cocoon, mixture of spider silk and pure silk.”Experts say these threads are stronger than steel and lighter than existing artificial fibers, used for bullet-proof vests. But spider fibers are difficult to mass-produce due to the limited amount that spiders can make.However, researchers are aspiring for mass production of spider silk, as it is strong and have good elasticity, and expect to introduce these socks in market by 2010.