The secret of spider silk
ScienceDaily.com
Swedish researchers reveal that pH plays a key role in spider silk production. The protein for creating silk is stored in a special gland in the spider. When it needs to spin a thread, the protein passes through a canal where it turns to gossamer. The scientists found that pH changes in the canal from a neutral pH 7 to a more acidic pH 6 help convert the fluid into fibres.
So what?Spider silk is one of the strongest known materials in nature, as well as elastic and biodegradable. If scientists could create an artificial equivalent, they believe its uses would be almost limitless, from surgical sutures to bulletproof vests.