Modified Silkworms Make Glow-in-the-Dark Silk
- 11 years ago
A Japanese lab has modified the DNA of silkworms so the silk they spin glows in the dark under UV light. The product is only slightly less strong than regular silk, allowing it to be used to make fabrics and subsequently garments.
Silkworms are a primary source for producing silk.
A Japanese lab has modified the DNA of silkworms so the silk they spin glows in the dark under UV light. The product is only slightly less strong than regular silk, allowing it to be used to make fabrics and subsequently garments.
The colors the worms can make are orange, red, and green.
Designers have started to incorporate the fabrics into their collections, making apparel items such as suits, ties, and wedding gowns.
The scientists accomplished the glowing silks by inserting silkworms with DNA sequences taken from organisms like coral and jellyfish that have naturally luminescent qualities.
Should the fabrics become commercially available, their cost is predicted to be little more than other varieties of the material.
Not long ago, scientist also had success in getting silkworms to spin brightly hued threads.
This feat was accomplished by feeding them a diet of mulberry leaves and dyes, resulting in vibrant, colorfast materials that are also environmentally friendly.
Silkworms are a primary source for producing silk.
A Japanese lab has modified the DNA of silkworms so the silk they spin glows in the dark under UV light. The product is only slightly less strong than regular silk, allowing it to be used to make fabrics and subsequently garments.
The colors the worms can make are orange, red, and green.
Designers have started to incorporate the fabrics into their collections, making apparel items such as suits, ties, and wedding gowns.
The scientists accomplished the glowing silks by inserting silkworms with DNA sequences taken from organisms like coral and jellyfish that have naturally luminescent qualities.
Should the fabrics become commercially available, their cost is predicted to be little more than other varieties of the material.
Not long ago, scientist also had success in getting silkworms to spin brightly hued threads.
This feat was accomplished by feeding them a diet of mulberry leaves and dyes, resulting in vibrant, colorfast materials that are also environmentally friendly.