RUI: Molecular Characterization of Black Widow Spider Silks

蜘蛛能纺出各种高性能纤维，其机械性能在环境中是无与伦比的，可与现代技术生产的最好的合成材料相媲美。通过基因工程生产基于蛋白质的结构聚合物具有广泛的应用前景，包括防护服和设备、绳索和网、组织工程以及汽车和航空航天工业的材料。这些研究采用多学科方法来鉴定聚集腺产生的丝纤维中的蛋白质，并揭示黑寡妇蜘蛛（Latrodectus hesperus）聚集和管状丝蛋白的丝基因表达调控开关和因子。这个项目有一个共同的目标，那就是推动技术的发展，使科学家们能够制造出用于人类的合成丝绸。这项研究的广泛影响将包括培养研究生、本科生和高中生广泛的现代分子和生化技术。弱势的少数族裔本科生将从入门以及高年级生物和化学课程开始，通过参与研究获得教育经验。当地高中生也将通过与SEED项目的联系，被招募到暑期实习。SEED项目是由美国化学学会（American Chemistry Society）指导的一个暑期研究体验项目，目标是经济困难的学生。研究计划的一个重要组成部分也将涉及公众。当地社区的个人将通过与研究小组成员在日常蜘蛛收集过程中的互动了解蜘蛛丝纤维的非凡特性。来自当地社区的个人也将通过太平洋专业和继续教育计划中心接受有关蜘蛛丝生物学研究的教育。此外，该项目的研究结果将在同行评议的科学期刊、当地高中、报纸以及地方和国家研究会议上传播。总之，该研究项目将提高我们对蜘蛛丝生物学的认识，并为不同教育水平的广泛个人提供丰富的培训。

Spiders spin a variety of high performance fibers with mechanical properties that are unparalleled in the environment and comparable to the best synthetic materials produced by modern technology. There is considerable interest in the production of protein-based structural polymers through genetic engineering for a wide range of applications, including protective clothing and equipment, ropes and nets, tissue engineering, and materials for the automobile and aerospace industry. These studies implement multidisciplinary approaches to identify proteins assembled into aggregate gland-produced silk fibers, as well as reveal regulatory switches and factors that control silk gene expression for aggregate and tubuliform silk proteins in the black widow spider, Latrodectus hesperus. This project has a common goal of advancing technologies to position scientists to manufacture synthetic silks for human applications. The broader impacts of the research will include training graduate, undergraduate, and high school students in a wide range of modern molecular and biochemical techniques. Disadvantaged minority undergraduate students will be targeted from introductory, as well as upper division biology and chemistry classes to gain educational experiences through research participation. Local high school students will also be recruited for summer internships through a connection with the Project SEED, a summer research experience program directed by the American Chemistry Society that targets economically disadvantaged students. A strong component of the research program will also involve the general public. Individuals from the local community will learn about the extraordinary properties of spider silk fibers through interactions with research team members during routine spider collections. Individuals from the local community will also receive education on the spider silk biology research through Pacific's Center for Professional and Continuing Education Program. Additionally, findings generated by this project will be disseminated in peer-reviewed scientific journals, local high schools, newspapers, and local and national research conferences. In summary, the research project will enhance our understanding on spider silk biology and provide rich training for a wide range of individuals at various educational levels.