Scientists Create Spider-Man Inspired Fiber 'Biocable' That Mimics Comic Hero's Spider Silk
Ceage SottoFrom comic books to actual reality, scientists have now discovered Spider-Man's web. It's not actually the "Biocable" created by Oscorp in the comic's, but it's similar to a wild arachnid's web.
Several scientists have created a synthetic spider silk after years of research. The synthetic silk shares the same properties as the original web and they can mass produce it on a large scale, according to Live Science.
The team behind the discovery mimicked the same conditions found in the spider's own silk glands. They combined spidroin genes from two different species of spiders to create a hybrid spider silk gene. The scientists called it "NT2RepCT."
Spidroins are the main protein present in a spider's silk and it makes up the bulk of spider silk fibers. The "NT2RepCT" gene is coded for a completely new protein from both species. Then the scientists inserted the gene into the DNA of bacteria and it produced a highly concentrated solution of cloudy and viscous spider silk protein.
The scientists then pumped the solution through a thin glass capillary. The action mimics what spiders do in the wild, the shearing produced the world's first synthetic spider web. The process produced a staggering length of silk that came from a 1-liter flask. The scientists claimed that they produced 3,280 feet of a kilometer of the synthetic spider web.
However, the scientists also admit that it's not as strong as its natural counterpart. In the excerpts of their paper, the web is not as durable as the ones created by the spiders but they are still finding ways to strengthen the silk.
The race for replicating a spider silk is nothing new. Several studies have been made to produce one of the world's strongest and flexible biomaterials. The National Science Foundation funded a project to create spider silk from a goat milk in 2010.
Future endeavors will soon unlock the mystery behind a spider's web. For now, Spiderman's "Biocable" will still remain in comic books.
most read
related stories
more stories from News
Discover the key features and security enhancements of Apple's iOS 17.5 update.
ernest hamiltonDiscover top iPhone apps that let you earn real money by playing games, scanning receipts, and staying active.
ernest hamiltonSamsung has reached a remarkable milestone, shipping nearly 3 billion smartphones since 2014. Discover how the tech giant's decade-long dominance and innovative advancements have solidified its leadership in the global smartphone market.
ernest hamiltonLearn about Apple's settlement in the class-action lawsuit over iPhone 7 audio issues, offering up to $349 compensation for eligible users. Dive into the details and implications of this landmark agreement.
ernest hamiltonThousands of Apple users experienced a major iMessage outage on Thursday evening, impacting communication across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Downdetector reported over 13,000 disruptions starting at 6 p.m. ET. Stay updated with the latest developments and potential fixes.
ernest hamiltonDelve into the complexities of managing screen time for children as parents navigate between practicality and idealism.
ernest hamiltonDiscover why the Pixel 7a outperforms the new Pixel 8a in this detailed comparison. Learn about the advantages in affordability, color options, and feature parity. Read now to make an informed choice!
ernest hamiltonDiscover the future of smartphone audio with Moondrop's MIAD 01. Explore its dual audio jacks and premium DACs in this in-depth review. Ready to elevate your music experience? Read now!
ernest hamilton