What makes spider webs sticky
1 Nov 2009, 1331 Hrs

Add comment          Mail          Print          Write to Editor

London, Nov 1 Scientists at the University of Wyoming say they have unravelled the secret of what makes spider webs sticky.

According to researchers, the findings could lead to the development of substances that could one day be synthesised to produce surgical adhesives, reports New Scientist.

The ultra-strong glue, which the spider secretes onto the central prey-capturing spiral threads of its web, is known to be based on a complex sugary polymer called a glycoprotein.

However, until now no one knew how this supersticky molecule did its job, or which genes coded for it.

Now, Omer Choresh and colleagues at the University of Wyoming in Laramie have offered some clues.

They took glue-secreting cells from the glands of golden orb-web spiders and extracted messenger RNA from them.

They then used this to create a complementary DNA sequence to identify the genes potentially involved in glue creation.

They discovered that the sticky glycoprotein is formed from two separate proteins, each 110 amino acids long, that seem to be encoded by genes on opposite strands of the very same sequence of DNA.

According to Choresh, by cloning these genes and amplifying them, it should be possible to create a whole new class of iocompatible glues. (ANI)

Related Latest

An upgrade makes "Jaguar" the world's fastest supercomputer 'Twilight' sequel 'New Moon' makes 1m pounds in advance ticket sales 'Twilight' sequel 'New Moon' makes £1m in advance ticket sales `Australia's ban on uranium sales to India makes no sense' What will change with revised air quality standards? '2012' makes more than Rs.19 crore in opening weekend What makes pandemic H1N1 tick Yeddyurappa makes political rival Shettar minister Sir Ian McKellen knows what he wants written on his gravestone Pet therapy makes way for less painful recovery

Related Latest

Winters leave Ladakh out of bound, make stocking of food material a must Eco-friendly vehicles rally held in Delhi People worship Highway Goddess for safe journey in Chennai Lucknow Zoo authorities treating tiger for cancer Hussey ready to cop criticism, but will let bat do the talking PAC supports idea of making Pak Army's financial records public Pak heading towards 'demographic disaster', warn experts MP Congress President loses cool, punches party worker Hauritz now Australia's No.1 spinner: Warne Spinner's pitch at Gabba won't assist Bollinger

• Winters leave Ladakh out of bound, make stocking of food material a must
• People worship Highway Goddess for safe journey in Chennai
• Lucknow Zoo authorities treating tiger for cancer
• Eco-friendly vehicles rally held in Delhi
• Hussey ready to cop criticism, but will let bat do the talking

• भारतीय क्रिकेट की मजबूत दीवार
• कंगारूओं के आगे ढेर, चीतों से कैसे मुकाबला करेंगें शेर
• Reducing greenhouse gases may not be enough to slow global warming
• बीकानेर महापौर चुनावः एक विश्लेषण
• Deepawali: The Festival Of Lights