Adhesives Mag logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Adhesives Mag logo
  • NEW PRODUCTS
  • NEWS
    • Adhesives & Sealants Headlines
    • Mergers/Acquisitions
    • Events Calendar
    • Market Trends
  • TOPICS
    • Finished Adhesives and Sealants
    • Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives (PSAs)
    • Coatings
    • Raw Materials and Chemicals
    • Materials Handling/Processing
    • Meter/Mix/Dispense
    • Curing
    • Testing/Quality Control
    • Packaging of Adhesives & Sealants
    • Converting/Packaging
    • Composites
    • Sustainability
  • COLUMNS
    • European Perspectives
    • Strategic Solutions
    • Supply Chain Strategies
    • Tape Talk
  • TOP 20
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars
    • eBooks
  • EXPLORE
    • Adhesives in Action
    • Blog
    • ASI Store
    • Industry Links
    • Market Research
    • Classifieds
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Buyers' Guide
    • Global Adhesives & Sealants Directory
    • Raw Materials, Chemicals, Polymers and Additives Handbook
    • Equipment Handbook
    • Distributor Directory
  • EMAGAZINE
    • EMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVE ISSUES
    • ADVERTISE
      • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • CONTACT
  • SIGN UP!
Sustainability

Spider Web Glue Spins Society Toward New Bio-Based Adhesives

February 1, 2010
Wyoming scientists identify two new glycoproteins in the web glue from the golden orb weaving spider.

A sticky substance in spider webs may lead to the development of a new generation of bio-based adhesives and glues that could replace some petroleum-based products.


While would-be goblins and ghosts were preparing to drape synthetic spider webs over doorways and trees this past Halloween, scientists in Wyoming reported on a long-standing mystery about real spider webs: the secret of spider web glue. The findings are an advance toward a new generation of bio-based adhesives and glues - “green” glues that replace existing petroleum-based products for a range of uses. A report on the study was published in the October 2009 issue of the American Chemical Society's monthly journal, Biomacromolecules.

Omer Choresh and colleagues noted that heavy research has been conducted on spider web silk, which rivals steel in its strength. However, scientists know comparatively little about web glue, which coats the silk threads and is among the world’s strongest biological glues. Past studies revealed that spiders make web glue from glycoproteins, or proteins with bits of sugar attached.

The scientists analyzed web glue from the golden orb weaving spider, noted for spinning intricate webs. They identified two new glycoproteins in the glue and showed that domains of these proteins were produced from opposite strands of the same DNA.

“Once the cloned genes are over-expressed in systems such as insect or bacterial cell cultures, large-scale production of the glycoprotein can be used to develop a new bio-based glue for a variety of purposes,” the report noted.

For more information, or to purchase the report, phone (800) 333-9511 or (614) 447-3776, or e-mail service@acs.org.

Source: American Chemical Society


SIDEBAR: About the Study

The various silks that make up the web of the orb web spider have been studied extensively. However, success in prey capture depends as much on the web glue as on the fibers. Spider silk glue is an aqueous solution secreted from the orb weaving spider’s aggregate glands that coats the spiral prey-capturing threads of their webs. Studies identified the major component of the glue as microscopic nodules made of a glycoprotein. This study describes two newly discovered proteins that form the glue-glycoprotein of the golden orb weaving spider Nephila clavipes. Results demonstrate that both proteins contain unique 110 amino acid repetitive domains that are encoded by opposite strands of the same DNA sequence. Thus, the genome of the spider encodes two distinct yet functionally related genes by using both strands of an identical DNA sequence. Moreover, the closest match for the nonrepetitive region of one of the proteins is chitin binding proteins. The web glue appears to have evolved to a substantial level of sophistication, matching that of the spider silk fibers.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • mouse in hole

    Using Foam Sealants for Pest Prevention

    According to the National Pest Management Association,...
    Finished Adhesives and Sealants
    By: Kevin Corcoran
  • linked network nodes

    Using the Power of AI for Adhesive and Sealant Formulation

    With the help of software solutions, adhesive formulators...
    Finished Adhesives and Sealants
    By: Karen Parker
  • top20-hero.jpg

    2024 ASI Top 20: Leading Global Manufacturers of Adhesives and Sealants

    ASI's annual ranking of the top 20 global adhesive and...
    Adhesives and Sealants Topics
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Issues
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Popular Stories

Picture of a tub and a tube of an epoxy

CREATIVE MATERIALS INC.: Conductive Epoxies

cardboard packaging

Utilizing Biobased Materials to Enable Sustainability in Hot-Melt Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

rolls of tape

What’s Next in Tapes: A Look at Industry Trends

ASI Top 20 website

Events

January 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Structural Adhesives: Properties, Characterization and Applications

Structural Adhesives: Properties, Characterization and Applications

See More Products

ASI CASE EBOOK

Related Articles

  • Spider Glue May Lead to Bio-Based Adhesives (12/1/09)

    See More
  • Bio-Based Feedstocks for Adhesives and Sealants: Everything Old is New Again

    Bio-Based Feedstocks for Adhesives and Sealants: Everything Old is New Again

    See More
  • Bio-Based Adhesives Gain Popularity (9/9/10)

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • biobased wood.jpg

    Bio-based Wood Adhesives: Preparation, Characterization, and Testing

See More Products

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • May 8, 2018

    Green & Bio-Based Chemistry Technology Showcase & Networking Event

    The GC3 is seeking 10 startups to present their technologies to large companies (“strategics”) in many sectors across the value chain that are seeking new green chemicals and materials for their products; new green products and manufacturing technologies; joint development, licensing, investment and other partnership opportunities.  
View AllSubmit An Event

Related Directories

  • The Adhesion Society Inc.

    The mission of The Adhesion Society is to: Promote the advancement of the science and technology of adhesion and the dissemination of this knowledge. Promote education and training in the science and technology of adhesion. Provide recognition of accomplishments in the international adhesion science and technology community.
×

Keep the info flowing with our eNewsletters!

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey & Sample
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Youtube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing