The figure shows a spider’s web together with the molecular structure of the investigated domain in the bound state in surface representation (structure in red/orange, upper left corner). The side chains of the amino acid methionine, which are located in the core of the domain where they serve to malleablise the structure, are highlighted as coloured sticks. (Image: pixabay.com / Collage Hannes Neuweiler)
09/26/2019 - Scientists from the University of Würzburg have discovered that spider silk contains an exceptional protein. It generates high bonding strength by making use of an amino acid scientists have hitherto paid little attention to. Why are the lightweight silk threads of web spiders tougher than most other materials' Scientists from the Universities of Würzburg and Mainz teamed up to find answers to this question. They were able to show that the natural amino acid methionine provides plasticity to a protein domain, which is a constitutive part of spider silk. This plasticity increases the strength of bonding between the individual domains substantially. The scientists have published their findings in the current . Marvellous material with many applications The study is led by Dr. Hannes Neuweiler, a lecturer and group leader at the Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics at the University of Würzburg.
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