Open AccessRecombinant DNA production of spider silk proteins
Author(s) -
Tokareva Olena,
MichalczechenLacerda Valquíria A.,
Rech Elíbio L.,
Kaplan David L.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
microbial biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.287
H-Index - 74
ISSN - 1751-7915
DOI - 10.1111/1751-7915.12081
Subject(s) - spider silk , silk , recombinant dna , heterologous , spider , biopolymer , biocompatible material , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , materials science , engineering , biochemistry , ecology , gene , organic chemistry , biomedical engineering , composite material , polymer
Spider dragline silk is considered to be the toughest biopolymer on Earth due to an extraordinary combination of strength and elasticity. Moreover, silks are biocompatible and biodegradable protein‐based materials. Recent advances in genetic engineering make it possible to produce recombinant silks in heterologous hosts, opening up opportunities for large‐scale production of recombinant silks for various biomedical and material science applications. We review the current strategies to produce recombinant spider silks.