This is a schematic scheme of a spidroin consisting of an assembled C-terminal domain (cyan), the unfolded central domain (white line) and the N-terminal domains (green). Right hand side: scheme of a tapering spinning duct.
Spider silk belongs to the toughest fibers in nature and has astounding properties. Scientists have now discovered new molecular details of self-assembly of a spider silk fiber protein. They are lightweight, almost invisible, highly extensible and strong, and of course biodegradable: the threads spiders use to build their webs. In fact, spider silk belongs to the toughest fibres in nature. Based on its low weight it even supersedes high-tech threads like Kevlar or Carbon...
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