Microdissection of Black Widow Spider Silk-Producing Glands and Proteomic Analysis
Poster Number
01B
Format
Poster Presentation
Faculty Mentor Name
Craig Vierra
Faculty Mentor Department
Biological Sciences
Abstract/Artist Statement
Spider silk is known to be one of Earth’s strongest biological materials. Spider silk also has great potential usage, such as medicinal properties in wound healing, as well as industrial applications due to its high tensile strength, elasticity, toughness. It also presents an eco-friendly alternative since it is biodegradable. With these qualities, spider silk has infinite potential to eventually replace traditional synthetics such as nylon and Kevlar. This study focused on the microdissection of the female Black Widow spider (L. hesperus), and the isolation of different silk producing glands. Isolated silk-producing glands were used for proteomic analysis to identify new proteins involved in the silk assembly and extrusion pathway. Isolated silk-producing glands were lysed, digested with proteolytic enzymes and the peptides analyzed by mass spectrometry. Our studies reveal the presence of new factors that might participate in silk fiber formation. Identification of these proteins by proteomics will potentially help lead to the production of higher performance artificial silk fibers.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Start Date
28-4-2018 10:00 AM
End Date
28-4-2018 12:00 PM
Microdissection of Black Widow Spider Silk-Producing Glands and Proteomic Analysis
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Spider silk is known to be one of Earth’s strongest biological materials. Spider silk also has great potential usage, such as medicinal properties in wound healing, as well as industrial applications due to its high tensile strength, elasticity, toughness. It also presents an eco-friendly alternative since it is biodegradable. With these qualities, spider silk has infinite potential to eventually replace traditional synthetics such as nylon and Kevlar. This study focused on the microdissection of the female Black Widow spider (L. hesperus), and the isolation of different silk producing glands. Isolated silk-producing glands were used for proteomic analysis to identify new proteins involved in the silk assembly and extrusion pathway. Isolated silk-producing glands were lysed, digested with proteolytic enzymes and the peptides analyzed by mass spectrometry. Our studies reveal the presence of new factors that might participate in silk fiber formation. Identification of these proteins by proteomics will potentially help lead to the production of higher performance artificial silk fibers.