Producing of the Unique Materials based on Spider Silk Analogues for Medical Purposes using the Methods of Bioengineering

 

V.G. Debabov

 

Federal State Unitary Enterprise GosNIIgenetika, Moscow Russia

 

Spider silk consists of the proteins (spidroines) and is a very special material due to the unique combination of strength and elasticity. In addition, the material is non-toxic, bio-compatible and capable of bio-resorbing that opens broad options for its medical use. Spiders cannot provide spider silk in an amount sufficient for the practical use. During the last 10 years, the investigations aimed at the obtaining of recombinant spidroine analogue proteins have been conducted all over the world including our Institute. We have managed to achieve a rather high expression of the spidroine analogue, dragline silk of the spider Nephila claviceps, in the Pichia pastoris yeast. The recombinant protein has been purified to homogeneity, and the fibers have been produced on its basis that exceed tendons and bones in strength. A possibility in principle to obtain the expression of the protein in plants was demonstrated. At present, the study on spidroine 2 analogue is in progress. We would like to find partners for co-operation in the field of biological trials of our material and investigation of the molecular structure of the fibers.