Latest news with #UniversityofBayreuth
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists Gene-Hack Spider to Produce Bright-Red Silk
Researchers used the popular gene-editing technique CRISPR to modify the DNA sequences of house spiders, causing them to produce red fluorescent silk. Scientists are hoping that the US Navy and Air Force-funded research could lead to the development of new "supermaterials" produced by arachnids, Fast Company reports. As detailed in a paper published in the journal Angewandte Chemie, a team of researchers at the University of Bayreuth in Germany injected the eggs of unfertilized female spiders with a CRISPR-Cas9 solution to insert a gene sequence for a red fluorescent protein. After mating with males of the same species, the offspring produced red, fluorescent silk, demonstrating that the experiment had been successful. "Considering the wide range of possible applications, it is surprising that there have been no studies to date using CRISPR-Cas9 in spiders," said senior author and University of Bayreuth professor Thomas Scheibel in a statement. "We have demonstrated, for the first time worldwide, that CRISPR-Cas9 can be used to incorporate a desired sequence into spider silk proteins, thereby enabling the functionalisation of these silk fibres." Apart from turning their silk bright red, the researchers also attempted to knock out a gene called sine oculis, which is responsible for the development of spider eyes. They found that the gene edit caused total or partial eye loss in experiments, highlighting its important role in visual development. By applying CRISPR-Cas9, a technique that has already been widely used to create custom medical treatments or make farm animals more resilient to diseases, the researchers are hoping to come up with a new generation of silk fibers. "Successful spider silk engineering in vivo will, therefore, help to develop and employ new fiber functionalities for a broad range of applications," the team wrote in its paper. "So far, genetic modifications in spiders have been only aimed at evolutionary and developmental research." As Fast Company points out, materials scientists have already been investigating the tactile strength of the silk produced by gene-modified silkworms. But thanks to cutting-edge gene-editing techniques, researchers could soon harness the unique advantages of spider silk as well. While the researchers didn't single out specific use cases for future "supermaterials," the possible applications are practically endless, from lightweight body armor to ultralight running shoes. "The ability to apply CRISPR gene-editing to spider silk is very promising for materials science research — for example, it could be used to further increase the already high tensile strength of spider silk," Scheibel explained. More on CRISPR: In a World First, CRISPR Drug Tailored for One Baby Shows Life-Saving Promise
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
World's First CRISPR-Edited Spiders Shoot Fluoro Red Silk From Their Butt
Beginning a chain of events that will presumably lead to the origin of our universe's Spider-Man, researchers in Germany have created the world's first spiders to be genetically modified using CRISPR technology. These spiders are unlikely to generate any superheroes (for now). They are not radioactive, and although their DNA has been altered, nothing has changed about their venom. They are still ordinary house spiders – mostly. As a result of researchers' genetic modifications, some of the spiders lack eyes, while others gained the novel ability to spin fluorescent red silk. If you're wondering how scientists did this, they used the gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9, which lets researchers cut into a cell's genome at specific locations and remove or insert sequences. If you're wondering why they did this, it was largely a proof of concept. The researchers sensed an untapped potential – given the unique properties of spider silk, among other things – when they realized this gene-editing technology had not been applied to spiders. "Considering the wide range of possible applications, it is surprising that there have been no studies to date using CRISPR-Cas9 in spiders," says senior author Thomas Scheibel, a biochemist at the University of Bayreuth. Spiders are wonders of nature. They've achieved impressive evolutionary success, having existed for some 400 million years and diversified into more than 50,000 known species. They rank seventh in total species diversity among all orders of organisms. Their silk is of particular interest. There are at least seven types among varieties of orb weaver alone, each with distinct attributes and uses by spiders. Some spider silks boast tensile strength comparable to steel, for example, but with peerless strength-to-weight ratios, not to mention elasticity and flexibility. Humans have long sought to harness the magic of spider silk, but to little avail. Most spiders are territorial predators intolerant of company, preventing us from farming them like silkworms. While synthetic spider silks are rapidly improving – now reportedly rivaling the original – there might still be unique value in learning to edit the genes for spider silk in vivo, the researchers contend. Given the lack of precedent for gene editing with spiders, Scheibel and his colleagues started with a simpler goal of removing (or 'knocking out') a gene. Hoping for clear results, they picked sine oculis, a gene involved with eye development. The researchers then designed a version of the gene-editing system to fit their task, which was injected into the abdomens of anesthetized female spiders of the common house spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum). This CRISPR components acted upon the spider's egg cells, which when combined later with male DNA, gave rise to eye-less spiderlings. Having established a process for genetic modification in house spiders, the next step was to tinker with silk genes. The researchers picked a gene for production of spidroins – the main proteins in spider silk – found in the strongest type of spider silk. As in the previous experiment, they injected a targeted solution into female spiders, this time with a gene sequence for a red fluorescent protein. Some spiderlings later spun red fluorescent dragline silk, providing evidence of a successful "knock-in" of the gene sequence into a silk protein. "We have demonstrated, for the first time worldwide, that CRISPR-Cas9 can be used to incorporate a desired sequence into spider silk proteins, thereby enabling the functionalization of these silk fibres," Scheibel says. "The ability to apply CRISPR gene-editing to spider silk is very promising for materials science research – for example, it could be used to further increase the already high tensile strength of spider silk." The study was published in Angewandte Chemie. Who Gets Your 'Digital Remains' When You Die? Here's Some Expert Advice. Rubik's Cube Record Smashed in Less Time Than It Takes to Blink This Laser Breakthrough Can Read Text on a Page From a Mile Away
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists make unexpected discovery about health impacts of common recreation equipment: 'The first reliable data'
Microplastics have become a major environmental concern, and scientists have long known that the wear and tear of vehicle tires is a significant contributing factor in the amount of microplastics found in the environment. However, other tires, such as bicycle tires, have not been studied to see how much microplastic they release. Now, though, the University of Bayreuth in Germany has completed such a study. Researchers from the University of Bayreuth recently released their findings from a study on the amount of microplastics released from the abrasion of bike tires — specifically mountain bikes. Researchers already knew that 35% of microplastic pollution in Germany comes from vehicle tires, with around 11 grams of microplastics released for every 62 miles driven. What they didn't know was how much mountain bike tires contributed. According to their findings, the news is good and bad. Mountain bike tires do contribute to microplastic pollution, but these tires only contribute less than 1% of the total, releasing approximately 3.5 grams every 62 miles ridden. Doctoral researcher Fabian Sommer, who led the team, said, as relayed by "Our study provides the first reliable data on the amount of tire abrasion from mountain bikes under real-world conditions. The results show that while mountain bike tires release microplastics directly into nature, the amount is significantly lower compared to motorized vehicles." Microplastics continue to be found nearly everywhere, whether in water, soil, food, household products, air, or even the human body. Science has linked these tiny particles to a host of adverse health effects in people, including inflammation, hormone disruption, and cancer. Microplastics also harm the environment, as they release chemicals into the water, soil, and air. Research has shown that microplastics may negatively impact animals, particularly fish, which is doubly concerning when considering the risks of people consuming contaminated meat. Dealing with microplastics will take time, but governments, companies, and individuals have taken steps in the right direction. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The Microbead-Free Waters Act was passed in 2015, which banned the packaging, manufacturing, and distribution of certain cosmetic products using plastic microbeads. In 2022, 175 countries agreed to create an agreement to end plastic pollution by addressing recycling issues and the abundance of single-use plastic packaging. Individuals can help reduce microplastics found in the environment by curbing their use of plastic or making small changes to their lives, such as sometimes riding a mountain bike rather than using a car, since that releases fewer microplastics into the environment. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
