NMR Spectroscopy of Latrodectus hesperus’s Tubuliform Silk
Poster Number
6
Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Artist Statement
Molecular properties of the tubuliform silk were studied for the cob web building black widow spider Latrodectus hesperus. From techniques we learned from micro-dissections of tubuliform silk glands we will be cutting longitudinally across the dorsal side of the abdomen. Collected silk gland will then be placed directly into a 5mm NMR tube filled with phosphate buffer. We hope to dissect twenty black widow spiders in 12 hours and send them to Eastern Illinois University for NMR spectroscopy on April 19 2005. We hope to receive results on April 21 2005. By comparing the NMR spectra of tubuliform lumen to the NMR spectra of spun tubuliform silk we are then able to determine the changes of secondary protein structure which are responsible for the physical properties of eggcase silk.
Location
Pacific Geosciences Center
Start Date
30-4-2005 1:00 PM
End Date
30-4-2005 3:00 PM
NMR Spectroscopy of Latrodectus hesperus’s Tubuliform Silk
Pacific Geosciences Center
Molecular properties of the tubuliform silk were studied for the cob web building black widow spider Latrodectus hesperus. From techniques we learned from micro-dissections of tubuliform silk glands we will be cutting longitudinally across the dorsal side of the abdomen. Collected silk gland will then be placed directly into a 5mm NMR tube filled with phosphate buffer. We hope to dissect twenty black widow spiders in 12 hours and send them to Eastern Illinois University for NMR spectroscopy on April 19 2005. We hope to receive results on April 21 2005. By comparing the NMR spectra of tubuliform lumen to the NMR spectra of spun tubuliform silk we are then able to determine the changes of secondary protein structure which are responsible for the physical properties of eggcase silk.