UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
LIFE SCIENCE RESEARCH SEMINARS
Web: http://events.um.edu.mt/scisem/
Email: scisem@um.edu.mt
Abstract form
Title: From Spiders to Surgeons: Fibrous Proteins in the 21st Century
Implications for bio-implantation, general and orthopaedic surgery
Prof Wilhelm Engström and Prof Alex Felice
Presenters: Chair:
Speakers:
Prof Fritz Vollrath
Prof Zhengzheng Shao
Prof Jan Johansson
Dr Camilla Fredriksson
Contact address: Professor of Molecular Pathology, University of Uppsala, Sweden
Tel:
Fax:
Email: wilhelm.engstrom@bvf.slu.se
Presentation date: Thursday 8 November 2007
Abstract
Spiders spin up to seven different types of silk and each type possesses different mechanical
properties. The recent cloning and sequencing of spider silk genes have gained importance
as the extraordinary mechanical properties of silk fibres have been revealed. In this series of
talks we aim to link molecular data, often translated into amino acid sequences and predicted
three dimensional structural motifs to the respective biomechanical properties.
Recommended bibliography
Rising A et al Zoological science 22(3) 273-281 2005 (Review)
Rising A et al Biomacromolecules 7(11) 3120-3124 2006
Stark et al Biomacromolecules 8(5) 1695-1702 2007 (key paper)
Rising A et al Insect Molecular Biology E-published Aug 4 2007 PMID 17680798