We have genetically edited a spider to produce a fluorescent red cloth. And the implications are promising

Mutant spiders. It could be the premise of a film that mixes science fiction and terror, or someone’s nightmare with Arachnophobia. However, the first mutant spiders created by the human being respond to something much more innocent. But maybe even more interesting.

Mutant spiders. A group of researchers He has genetically edited A group of spiders. The most curious of the results obtained by this team is probably a group of spiders that, after the edition, are capable of weaving a red spider web fluorescent spider.

It is about First experiment of genetic edition in spiders of which we have knowledge. For this, the team resorted to specimens of the American domestic spider (PARASTIDA TEPIDARIORUM), A species that, like many others, uses its spider web not only for hunting but also to protect its eggs.

A fascinating material. Spider silk is one of the most interesting materials in the animal world. Spiders are capable of segregating different types of fabric and among them, structural silks are among the most remarkable for their very tangled resistance that binds to its elasticity, lightness and the fact that it is a biodegradable material, explains the team responsible for the study.

CRISPR-CAS9. In its experiment, the team turned to the “scissors” of genetic edition CRISPR-CAS9. They began the process focusing on a gene linked to the development of the eyes with the aim of obtaining a first easy result to identify.

The team injected his tool of genetic edition in a female in order to eliminate the gene chosen in their reproductive cells and thus be able to detect changes in their litter. The Resutlanted: Spiders who did not develop their eyes.

From the eyes to the silk. The first success led to repeat the test, but this time focusing on the genes responsible for coding some of the proteins present in the structural silk of the spiders. In doing so, spiders wove spider silk filaments of fluorescent red spider.

The details of the experiment were published In an article In the magazine ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE.

A first step. To be able to edit the genes responsible for the production of a material as interesting as the structural filaments of spider fabrics opens new doors when it comes to knowing this material and its biochemical origins. Of course, we can also pave the way for being able to synthesize it efficiently or even in the development of materials with similar properties.

“We have demonstrated, for the first time in the world, that (the tool) CRISPR-CAS9 can be used” to incorporate a desired sequence in spider silk proteins, thus allowing the functionalization of these silk fibers, ” stood out in a press release Thomas Scheibel, co -author of the study. “The ability to apply CRISPR genetic edition to spider silk is very promising for material science; for example, it can be used to increase the already high spider silk breakage.”

In Xataka | ‘The Last of Us’ is already happening in the animal world and the last species in suffering are the “spiders of the caverns”

Image | Patrick Edwin Moran / University of Bayreuth