From: | Stephen Guilliot s.guilliot@**********.edu |
---|---|
Subject: | Ahh the wonders of biotech! |
Date: | Tue, 20 Jun 2000 12:59:00 -0500 |
>The goats have been bred with a spider gene so their milk provides a
>unique protein. The company then plans to extract the protein from the milk
>to produce fibers - called BioSteel - for bulletproof vests, aerospace and
>medical supplies.
Hmm, I wonder why e-coli or yeast can't produce the protein. I mean, goats
are alot more expensive. Maybe this spider silk gene requires some
post-translational modifications that only animals and insects can perform.
Any biochemists with some additional insight?