SMRTR Science & EngineeringMay 20, 2025Interesting Engineering

World’s first gene-edited spider shoots red fluorescent silk threads in a scientific miracle

SMRTR summary

Scientists at the University of Bayreuth used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in spiders to produce red fluorescent silk. By injecting a gene-editing solution into spider eggs, they created offspring with glowing dragline silk. This breakthrough enables manipulation of spider silk properties within living spiders, opening possibilities for new applications in textiles, biomedicine, and sustainable materials. The research also confirmed a specific gene's role in spider eye development.

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