- #1
Evil
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just wondering...is it possible to create the spidey web that spiderman uses?:P
Possible to create the spidey web that spiderman uses?
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the feasibility of creating a web similar to that used by Spider-Man, exploring both theoretical and practical aspects of spider silk production, including genetic engineering and alternative methods.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Conceptual clarification
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants mention ongoing research into mass-producing spider dragline filament, noting its superior strength and lightness compared to steel.
- Genetically modified goats have been developed to produce spider silk in their milk, yielding approximately 15 grams of thread per liter.
- There are challenges in finding a method to deploy the silk from a wrist mechanism and ensure it adheres to surfaces.
- One participant humorously expresses a desire to see the process of milking goats for spider silk, indicating a fascination with the genetic engineering aspect.
- Another participant suggests that a household method could involve keeping spiders as pets to harvest their webs, although they note the territorial nature of spiders could complicate this approach.
- A link to a biotech company involved in this research is provided for further information.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a mix of curiosity and humor regarding the topic, with no clear consensus on the practicality of creating Spider-Man's webbing or the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Contextual Notes
The discussion includes varying assumptions about the efficiency of spider silk production methods and the feasibility of using genetically modified organisms, with no resolution on the best approach.
Who May Find This Useful
Individuals interested in biotechnology, genetic engineering, or the practical applications of spider silk may find this discussion engaging.
- #2
Monique
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Sure, researchers are trying to mass produce the spider dragline filament.. it is much stronger and lighter than steel and has a tensile strenght of up to 300,000 pounds per square inch :O
Goats were genetically modified to produce the spiders silk in their milk, producing 15 g of thread per liter :) They might have different technologies in the meanwhile, I'm not sure.
They did try before the goats to use bacteria to produce the silk, but the threads were too short to be spun into fibres.
Goats were genetically modified to produce the spiders silk in their milk, producing 15 g of thread per liter :) They might have different technologies in the meanwhile, I'm not sure.
They did try before the goats to use bacteria to produce the silk, but the threads were too short to be spun into fibres.
- #3
Gokul43201
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The only diificulty so far is finding a way to shoot it out of your wrist and make it stick to the neighboring building.
- #4
wasteofo2
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OH MY GODMonique said:
Now I definitely want to be a biologist. Before I thought being a biologist would just either be research or something boring in a lab, but if there's the opportunity to genetically engineer goats to make spider-silk milk, oh man, this is totally my calling. I'd really love to see someone not milk a goat for a LONG time so the pressure builds up and then turn it upside down and milk it towards a ceiling and leave it hanging there.
- #5
Gokul43201
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wasteofo2 said:
Now I can see why you would like Bunuel.
- #6
Evil
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onli 15 grams per litre?
haha
any other more household method?
haha
any other more household method?
- #7
Monique
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How many litres do a herd of goat produce each day? That 15 gram will accumulate really fast.
A household method? Try having a room filled with spiders as a pet and harvest the webs from there, the only problem being that spiders are very territorial and eat each other (yes, they did try to do it this way).
A household method? Try having a room filled with spiders as a pet and harvest the webs from there, the only problem being that spiders are very territorial and eat each other (yes, they did try to do it this way).
- #8
iansmith
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If you want more info on the "spider" goat here the for nexia, the biotech that has developed the technology.
http://nexiabiotech.com/
http://nexiabiotech.com/
- #9
Evil
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cool
anymore?
anymore?
- #10
TenNen
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Okay, Evol, can you tell me why you wanted to know about this ?
- #11
Evil
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its kinda cool isn't it?
but i just want to find out if its theroctically possible...
imagine...spidermna's webbing
but i just want to find out if its theroctically possible...
imagine...spidermna's webbing
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