CRISPR Breakthrough: Red Fluorescent Spider Silk Created

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CRISPR Spider

We’re one step closer to creating Spiderman in a lab. Scientists used CRISPR to edit the genome of the common house spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum).

• CRISPR = Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats

• Injected red fluorescent protein into unfertilized eggs

• Resulting in offspring spinning fluorescent silk

Modified silk retained its natural strength and elasticity. Opening the door for future biomedical and industrial applications such as bio-based textiles and medical imaging; aaand superheroes!

Friendly neighborhood GMO spider

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