Persistence and variation in microstructural design during the evolution of spider silk.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Madurga R
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4594040 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Persistence and variation in microstructural design during the evolution of spider silk.
Madurga R R Blackledge T A TA Perea B B Plaza G R GR Riekel C C Burghammer M M Elices M M Guinea G G Pérez-Rigueiro J J
Scientific reports 20151006
The extraordinary mechanical performance of spider dragline silk is explained by its highly ordered microstructure and results from the sequences of its constituent proteins. This optimized microstructural organization simultaneously achieves high tensile strength and strain at breaking by taking advantage of weak molecular interactions. However, elucidating how the original design evolved over the 400 million year history of spider silk, and identifying the basic relationships between microstru ...[more]
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