Month: August 2014

NIAS group clones genes for spider dragline into silkworm cocoon silk, 50 % improved tensile characteristics

The group around Yoshihiko KUWANA has reported the cloning of the SpA gene for spider dragline silk into a silkworm genome. The transgenic silkworm produced native fibroin with 1.4 – 2.4 mol% spider silk protein, showing 53 % improved tensile strength. The silk was woven into a vest and a scarf. Yohsihiko KUWANA et al., […]

Tokyo University-led consortium discovers novel defense mechanism against intestinal pathogenic bacteria

The consortium was led by Yoshiyuki GOTO and Hiroshi KIYONO of the University of Tokyo. The mechanism is based on the expression of fucosyl transferase by intestinal epithelial cells triggered by intestinal bacteria. Disruption of intestinal fucosylation resulted in higher susceptibility to infection by Salmonella typhimurium. JST news release, August 22, 2014

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