Kraig Biocraft to Develop Recombinant Spider Silk for US Army

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories announced on Oct. 30, 2017 that it has entered a contract with the United States Army to develop custom recombinant spider silk. The genetically-engineered silkworm strains will be used for protective textile applications, and are required to fill a set of undisclosed performance objectives set by the army.

The silk polymers will be scaled up to produce upwards of 100 kgs of silk thread, and will be designed to generate higher tensile strength than the company’s comparable dragon silk fibers.

“This project is an excellent opportunity for us to demonstrate the incredible potential and power of engineered silk,” said Jon Rice, COO of Kraig Biocraft, in a company press release.  “Tailoring the focus of our design efforts directly to a material’s performance requirements is a perfect example of the amazing flexibility, and possibilities, of engineered proteins. These new transgenics will be the beginning of our enhanced tactical fiber line of materials.  While a monumental moment for the company, it is but one of many new and exciting opportunities for, spider silk, the company, and our shareholders.”

According to the company, additional research and production staff will be hired for the project, with in-house lab capabilities being developed at its Michigan-based research and production center, which opened in October 2017.

Source: Kraig Biocraft Laboratories