Spinning out spider silk research
Spider silk is finding applications as diverse as tissue transplants and training shoes
After years of basic research and exciting promises, spider silk is poised to enter the web of consumer products. Startup companies are in ebullient mood, promising to synthesize tonnes of spider silk proteins. Some show off synthetic silk in prototype footwear, clothing and cosmetics; others bet its properties will better suit biomedical devices, drug delivery systems or tissue transplants.