Scientists uncover secrets of black widow spider silk

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2007

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — The prospect of super-strength military body armor inspired by silk from deadly black widow spiders has moved a step closer after research revealed by a US university.

Scientists at the University of California, Riverside, outside Los Angeles, have identified the genes and DNA sequences for two key proteins used in the "dragline" silk of the tiny but lethal spiders found in the region.

The university said in a news release that the discovery could lead to a variety of new materials for industrial, medical and military uses.

Dragline silk from black widows is regarded as superior to that from other spiders because of its strength and extensibility, which enable the silk to absorb enormous amounts of energy.

The silk's properties...