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Hard not to notice the involvement of more and more Indian Sericulture experts. Some of them are officially now working for KBLB. Dr. Nirmal Kumar is THE LEADING AUTHORITY "in research, training, and testing of silkworm breeds, mulberry cultivation, and rearing technologies." I believe the Indian scientists are better than any scientists the Chinese have.
KBLB is golden and will change the lives of many shareholders IF they own enough shares. GO KBLB!
Not every PR is going to be a blockbuster. There will be a build up to bigger events. The company has remained consistent with providing regular updates and, this time around, seem to be shedding more light on who is involved. I see that as good news, especially when it includes EXPERTS FROM INDIA.
The experts from India have already proven how valuable they are with the successes shared in December. Remember the silk picture and the updates on all of the improvements the Indian experts provided to domestic operations?
We were previously told they would take part in operations in Vietnam and now we have a specific name, something Kim has not been very forthcoming with in the past.
Those telling everyone this is simply more “wash, rinse, repeat” are stuck in the past and doomed to repeat it.
This is a new era for KBLB. True industry experts are involved now. India, one of the largest producers in the world, is on the radar. After years, Vietnam has allowed Kraig into Lam Dong with LAREC’s blessing.
This is not simply “more of the same” from Kraig. Times are changing and those unable or unwilling to see it will be left in the past while the company moves FORWARD.
I welcome hearing specifics about involvement from INDIA. Expansion of operations in Vietnam is happening now. Could expansion into India be next?
Tick tock…
W2R
<< How long do you think the Company’s Senior Management will stay in Vietnam? >>
First, I don't think that the Douchebag CEO is in Vietnam.
Second, I think that "senior management" could be in Vietnam for a very long time. First, they need to finish renovating the facility. That will take a while. The last time they renovated a facility, it took over a year.
It’s been the PLAN ……exactly what will make this an extraordinary success!!!
Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Strengthens Spider Silk Production Operations with Sericulture Experts from India
Press Release | 11/27/2023
The first of these experts is currently at Kraig's R&D headquarters for 30 days of hands-on work with the team to provide onsite training for technical staff, strengthen its rearing operation fundamentals, and support the field testing of our production operations.
Following the overhauling of U.S. operations and providing production-oriented training with its U.S. staff, the Company plans to bring these technical experts to review and overhaul its overseas operations and facilities. The primary focus is to improve production yields and increase throughput.
"One will notice that the PR states that he isn't even in India yet."
I think he's in Vietnam, or on his way.
How long do you think the Company’s Senior Management will stay in Vietnam?
Not running like a potential NASDAQ contender.
You shouldn’t have put him in solitary so quickly. I had him identified as a future minion of yours from day one. Between his Facebook posts and psycho rants here, it was easy to identify him as a future crybaby.
Remember the old Bill Cosby routine about the woman flying with “little Jeffrey”? Here he is, all growed up!
<< I actually have to agree with webslinger this time. You don't announce all the higher ups coming to launch production and then get a consultant. Something went awry. This announcement should have been that trials are underway. >>
One will notice that the PR states that he isn't even in Vietnam yet.
It says that he "will join" them at some time in the future twice.
<< I actually have to agree with webslinger this time. You don't announce all the higher ups coming to launch production and then get a consultant. Something went awry. This announcement should have been that trials are underway. >>
One will notice that the PR states that he isn't even in India yet.
It says that he "will join" them at some time in the future twice.
Putting his name out there will alert India++ of this revolutionary transformation of the fiber sector!!
Bam… and here come the children to whine and cry. Just as I predicted.
I actually have to agree with webslinger this time. You don't announce all the higher ups coming to launch production and then get a consultant. Something went awry. This announcement should have been that trials are underway.
Nirmal Kumar is consulting with far more than just BamBam production. Take a close look at his work and see if he’ll be useful in protein synthesis, something I didn’t expect would begin this early.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267974556_The_silk_proteins_sericin_and_fibroin_in_silkworm_Bombyx_mori_Linn_-_A_review
“Recently, silkworm is being used as biofactory for the production of useful protein using the silk gland, which has promoted the technological development in sericulture. With the above background silkworm can be classified as a value added biomaterial for medical application, application of silk protein fibroin and sericin as a biomaterial and other seri-byproducts. The present paper overviews some important studies carried out on sericin and fibroin of silkworm, Bombyx mori Linn.”
YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE HANK IS COMPOSED OF; NOR THE QUALITY...
SPEAK NOW AND DISAPPEAR FOR ANOTHER FEW DAYS....
Now where's Mr. "in need of a bran muffin, with the digestive emoji?
The previous 25kg test run proved our new robust silkworms are at ultimatum performance.
“He is tasked with reviewing the Company’s production operations and that of its third party contract manufacturers. “
They have been setting up production operations to run like a finely tuned machine….
EXCELLENT decision!
Once again, another fluff-filled PR. This one is about hiring an old man (almost 69 years old) as a temporary consultant to try to figure out how to solve some of the massive problems that KBLB is having with their silkworms.
WHAT IS HIS EXPERTISE WITH TRANSGENIC SILKWORMS SPECIFICALLY?
MAJOR DIFFERENCE IN SENSITIVITY TO CERTAIN STIMULI.
LONGS ARE (OR SHOULD BE) BLATANTLY AWARE OF THIS.
JOINED THE TEAM AS A CONSULTANT. (SUBCONTRACTOR)...
ANOTHER IN THE MANY THEY HAVE SUBCONTRACTED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
HE WAS ALREADY HIRED LATE LAST YEAR...
IT WAS A GIVEN (ONE WOULD REASONABLY ASSUME), THAT HE WOULD BE ACCOMPANYING THE ENTEROUGE...
HMMMM 😑
KRAIG BIOCRAFT LABORATORIES BRINGS LEADING SERICULTURE EXPERT FROM INDIA FOR LAUNCH OF SPRING PRODUCTION TRIALS
ANN ARBOR, Mich., – March 19, 2024 –Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (OTCQB: KBLB) (“Kraig Labs” or “the Company”), announces today that Dr. Nirmal Kumar, a globally recognized expert in sericulture, will join the Company’s Senior Management in Vietnam to supervise the start of the spring production trials and the launch of the BAM-1 hybrid.
Dr. Nirmal Kumar gained recognition as a leading authority in the breeding and rearing of silkworms through his 37 years of work at the Central Sericulture Research & Training Institute (“CSRTI”) in India. He specializes in research, training, and testing of silkworm breeds, mulberry cultivation, and rearing technologies. Dr. Nirmal Kumar joined the Kraig Labs team as a senior consultant in November of 2023, bringing world-class expertise in silkworm breeding and commercial scale rearing to the Company.
Dr. Nirmal Kumar will join senior management to oversee operations and kick off the 2024 production season. He is tasked with reviewing the Company’s production operations and that of its third party contract manufacturers. He will provide guidance and training to the team and oversee the rearing of the first generation of BAM-1 parent lines. He will also assist senior management in outlining the blueprints for the planned continued expansion of production capacity in Vietnam.
“Dr. Nirmal Kumar brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and expertise. We are very excited to have him working side by side with our team as we mark this pivotal milestone for the commercialization of recombinant spider silk,” said Founder and CEO of Kraig Labs, Kim Thompson.
To view the most recent news from Kraig Labs and/or to sign up for Company alerts, please go to www.KraigLabs.com/news
About Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc.
Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (www.KraigLabs.com), a reporting biotechnology company is the leading developer of recombinant spider silk-based fiber technologies.
The Company has achieved a series of scientific breakthroughs in the area of spider silk technology with implications for the global textile industry.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information
Statements in this press release about the Company’s future and expectations other than historical facts are “forward-looking statements.” These statements are made on the basis of management’s current views and assumptions. As a result, there can be no assurance that management’s expectations will necessarily come to pass. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “foresees,” “estimated,” “hopes,” “if,” “develops,” “researching,” “research,” “pilot,” “potential,” “could” or other words or phrases of similar import. Forward looking statements include descriptions of the Company’s business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions and goals. All such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security.
Ben Hansel, Hansel Capital, LLC
(720) 288-8495
ir@KraigLabs.com
WEBSLINGER...
They say you're a paid basher, yet you post on other boards also...
THE PROOF THE WHOLE PROOF AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH
IHUB PORTRAYS KBLB AS:
"Retail - Wholesale Distributors"
Only thing I see (for the most part) is a major distribution of PR's...
Go figure.
Silly rabbit, don't you know...
BOARDS POSTED ON
Why would I edit? I said what I wanted. Besides, that's your tactic. Part of your annoying repertoire. Your problem is you want people to appreciate you and what we've all witnessed is, it's just not made for you. It's sad you haven't realized yet why so many just wannna kick you to the curb. Figure that out and maybe the "appreciation" can start.😉
On what? PlusOne Coins? 🤣🤣🤣
Nobody cares about what you say, you’re an ignorant PAID PUMPER. It wouldn’t matter if the company produced a HALF A GRAM of finished product, you would still PUMP it. You are blind to any of the companies FAILURES OF PRODUCTION TARGETS, LIES OF OMISSION, DEFLECTION FROM THE TRUTH AND OUTRIGHT SILENCE.
PEOPLE LAUGH AT YOU. You can’t fix stupid. KEEP IT UP.
$$$ KBLB$$$
I know none of you on that type of level, to make things personal...
Ben from KBLB IR has allegedly spoken things about me, when i've never spoken ill of him, in
that type of setting.
Every time I contact him, it is met with denial.
So much for an individual who stated "I love you brother," over the phone, several times.
It is what it is...
=============
The day I make it personal. you'll know...
I've reserved those comments for an apropos time.
Stop riding on the jealousy train.
Quality over quantity.
My followers are here because i've made them money...
All you do is TRY to represent dollars...
Don't talk about it; be about it.
Archno, the strong and true warrior! Your labors and diligence in battle will be rewarded!
When you going to come over the Light, Darth?
We’re waiting patiently for you to drink the Kool Aid. It’s actually tastes good and no one died. See? ;)
How about a new one for the forum?!!!?!
King B! Give us some old tune to Rock out to!
You too, Es1! Long time coming’! But, I think we are finally going to the Moon this year!
Great seeing your recent post, Red!
Get ‘er done and let ‘er run!
sounds good to me...im all for whatever works...
All I am saying is I've been there and senior management can put pressure on junior management in critical situations by just "showing up". Kim knows as a micro manager this is a very sensitive stage of the company and needs to show leadership in getting it done. I think it is a positive for the company and the share holders that a microscope is being applied by senior management in this stage of the development of the plan.
An ant climbing a hill is in fact closer to the moon YOU STUPID IDIOT.
We have been told over and over again that the company PRs are the ONLY way to know the real "truth" about KBLB.
OK, well, let's take a look at that so-called "truth" from some of KBLB's PRs over the years:
- How about the PR that (falsely) stated that they were going to make their 1st delivery around Oct 16, 2022?
*****MORE DILUTION COMING "SOON” (UPDATED)*****
This is from KBLB’s most recent SEC S-1/A filing (filed on 22 Nov 2023):
“In my past I was a project manager”
Neither Kim nor rice are project managers…they write the checks, allocate the funds and sign the contracts…
They are there to sign the contracts, approve or disapprove the contractors already chosen, hold the flowers and pose for the pictures….
Bruce le oversees things in Vietnam and has people in charge of day to day operations…the Indian contractors are there overseeing the launch of spring trials and making sure things go as planned…they will remain until it’s a smooth running operation and will then turn it over to the people in vietnam…
Kim and rice can’t show up twice a year and run the Vietnamese operation…and frankly, they have shown they do not have the expertise to do that….
“I know my audience.”
Is that why you are such a clown?…lol
Here's a fun fact... out of those 132 followers you're so proud of, why is it only you and Web who like your posts? no one else ever does. you'd think some would click it by accident sometimes. but no. it's just you and web. I remember the old days people used to ask your opinion. Now no one cares.
"Quit while you're behind"? Really? Who's behind?
EOT has far fewer followers but his posts actually have many upvotes. And he doesn't even give 2 likes to his own posts like you do.
I think you should create a bunch of screen names and start giving your posts a thumbs up more frequently. Then you won't seem like such a joke.
Sounds like an "Ignore City" tactic. And what's with the personal attacks? I thought you were above those? More Truisms come to light every day.
Yet you must've unblocked me to view the post...
Quit while you're (a) behind.
<< because this is the point, a critical one where the company fails or succeeds in mass production >>
We have been hearing that for over a decade.
First, in 2014 when KBLB (falsely) claimed that they were ready for "sale and scale".
Then in 2019 when they (falsely) claimed that (once again) they were ready for commercial production.
Then in 2021 when they (falsely) claimed that (once again) they were ready for commercial production.
And yes, we all know, this time is different.... LOL
Wash, rinse, repeat....
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Moderators MU_Redskin1 gimmegimmeminemine TRUISM EOT WebSlinger |
Email: corporate@KraigLabs.com
KRAIG LABS WEBSITE FOR INVESTORS
Quarterly and Annual Reporting to the SEC is available on the Company's Website and EDGAR.
* Financial Statements * SEC Filings *
Outstanding Shares as of January 12, 2023
For issues or questions relating to share certificates or the transfer of securities please contact the company's transfer agent:
Olde Monmouth Stock Transfer Co., Inc.
200 Memorial Pkwy.
Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey 07716
Phone: (732) 872-2727
(since August 14, 2013)
Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (KBLB) is the first company with a commercially feasible spidersilk to be mass produced.
Kraig Labs is a biotechnology company focused on the development of commercially significant high performance polymers and technical fibers. Kraig Lab's focus has been on the production of a transgenic silkworm incorporating specific gene sequences from the golden orb weaving spider. These specific gene sequences inserted are to enable the silkworm to spin a new recombinant fiber which incorporates spider silk proteins. With the scientific breakthrough announced on September 29, 2010, Kraig Labs is now working to commercialize the transgenic silkworms to compete in the garment industry silk market. The value for the chinese raw silk market alone is 3-5 billion per annum. With the creation of 20 seperate transgenic silkworms, all with unique properties, Kraig Labs is now working at an accelerated pace to build upon their first generation transgenic organisms to develop their second generation of transgenic silkworm incorporating spider silk proteins. The scientists nearly doubled the strength of the silkworm with these specific spider gene insertions. Their second generation of transgenics are expected to be complete in 2011. These second generation organisms are to be compared with the strength, flexibility and resiliency of the native spider in which the gene sequences are derived from. These fibers which will match the strength of spider silk are expected to compete in the technical textiles market valued in excess of 120 billion per annum. The 3rd generation organisms are currently in the planning phase. These organisms are expected to spin fibers exceeding the strength of native spiders and may incorporate gene sequences that release an antibiotic, or to help reduce scarring with use in bandages.
Kraig Biocraft Laboratories has a sponsored research and development program with the University of Notre Dame, and the University of Wyoming. The genetic work is occurring at the University of Notre Dame, headed by Dr Malcolm Fraser, Phd. The gene sequences are derived from Dr. Randy Lewis's(University of Wyoming) patented gene sequences of the golden orb weaving spider. Kraig labs is paying for all expenses incurred for this research and development program, and thus Kraig Labs has exclusive global commercialization rights with the technologies developed, including methods, organisms, and fibers produced.
MANAGEMENT
Kim Thompson, Founder and CEO
As the CEO of the company, Mr. Thompson is the only member of the scientific advisory board who is also
a part of the corporation's management. His formal education lies in the fields of economics and law.
He received his B.A. in Applied Economics from James Madison College at Michigan State University.
He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School in 1994.
Mr. Thompson founded Kraig Biocraft Laboratories in his pursuit of the development of new biotechnologies
with industrial applications. As chairman of the scientific advisory board, he brings a unique perspective,and
acts as the primary liaison between the advisory board and the corporation.
Mr. Thompson brings a wealth of experience in business management and consultation to Kraig. Following
the completion of his undergraduate degree, Mr. Thompson joined California Craftsman, Inc. as a
Vice-President with primary responsibility for both marketing and human resources.
Kim Thompson was the director of business development at Franchise Venture Partners, LLC. He subsequently
joined the firm of Shearson, Lehman, Hutton where he specialized in equity trading and research of small cap
companies. Mr. Thompson received the highest series seven score for all Shearson brokers in his class nationwide.
His experience in those small cap equity markets has proven to be invaluable both in his legal and business successes.
Prior to becoming a public company CEO, Mr. Thompson was the founder and senior litigation partner in a California
commercial law firm where he worked as corporate and litigation counsel to privately held and public companies.
His many accomplishments in corporate law include winning and collecting in full what his firm believes to have been
the largest award of lost profits in a California commercial arbitration up to that time. An important part of his work was
winning victories on behalf of corporate clients in disputes over intellectual property and distribution rights. He has
represented business clients ranging from small start ups and micro caps to Fortune 100 companies.
With a background in business leadership and in advising public and private corporations, Kim Thompson continues
to bring a unique perspective to the successful management of business. His extensive business and legal background
enables him to create practical solutions to business problems and seize opportunities for growth.
Mr. Thompson is a member of the Triple Nine Society for persons with documented genius level IQs (having tested above
the 99.9th percentile). He is also active in the realm of science and invention where he has to his credit a number of
provisional patent applications including innovations in the areas of biotechnology, organic polymers, genetic engineering
and magnetic field manipulation, among others.
Mr. Rice has over 13 years’ experience growing development stage businesses with a focus on technology development, commercialization, and go to market strategies. Mr. Rice holds a B.S. in Chemical engineering from Michigan Technological University.
Prior to joining Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Mr. Rice was the Director of Advanced Technologies for Ultra Electronics, AMI. In this role, Mr. Rice was responsible for the identification, capture, and execution of new technology programs. During his tenure with AMI, Rice secured more than twenty five million dollars in funded development programs from the US Department of Defense which his team successfully leveraged into commercially viable spinoff products. Mr. Rice was also responsible for technical sales, marketing, and promotion of AMI’s products and capabilities. Rice joined AMI as the third full time employee and helped to lead the organization through its rapid growth and ultimate acquisition by Ultra Electronics in 2011.
Earlier in his career Mr. Rice developed unique advanced manufacturing techniques, established and trained a production staff, led engineering development, authored numerous technical papers, and is a recognized subject matter expert. Mr. Rice holds 5 issued patents and numerous provisional patents.
Mr. Rice brings a history of transforming revolutionary ideas into viable commercial products.
Mr. Rice is currently completing his Masters of Business Administration through the Executive Program at the Eli Broad College of Business: Michigan State University.
Despite the huge potential of genetically modified animals outside of laboratory research, commercialisation of these animals has been extremely limited. Numerous factors, including negative consumer perception, regulatory hurdles, and limitations inherent to classical GM technologies, have kept the majority of GM animal applications within the realm of academic research. However genome editing using zinc finger nucleases could help develop new markets for the future commercialisation of GM animals.
Genetic modification is commonplace throughout the life sciences sector, from fundamental research to pharmaceutical testing. GM cellular and animal models are valuable tools for the study of many chronic diseases, the testing of pharmaceutical compounds and the development of new therapeutic strategies. Genetic modification also offers great benefits in vaccine and biopharmaceutical manufacturing, which rely heavily on the use of GM organisms for biomolecule design and production. Modifying the genome of an organism or cell line allows the incorporation of target biomolecules in specific biological contexts, as well as the transfer of a gene product from a low-producing organism to one that can produce on a commercial scale. These applications have been widely accepted for many years, with countless GM organisms approved for medical manufacturing applications by drug regulators in all major countries. Despite this widespread success within the research and pharmaceutical sectors, the use of GM organisms outside of these markets has been limited.
Despite the lack of broad acceptance for most commercial applications of GM animal products, this technology has been able to gain traction in a few market sectors. The most obvious application has been the commercialisation of transgenic animals for the production of biomolecules for therapeutic use. Cattle, sheep and goats have been used for large-scale production of antibodies, steroids and hormones - most notably insulin - for many years. In 2009, GTC Biotherapeutics received US FDA approval for bioproduction of a recombinant human antithrombin. This product - ATryn - is extracted from the milk of transgenic goats, and is the first approved biopharmaceutical to be produced using genetically engineered animals. Although this is a significant breakthrough for the commercialisation of GM animals, it is still within the pharmaceutical industry, and is a natural progression of existing cell-based technologies. Of potentially greater commercial interest is the extension of genetic engineering outside of this sector, into areas such as food production, textiles and even companion animals.
GM crops have been available in many countries since the early 1990s, and numerous cash crops - including sugar beet, soybean, corn and tomatoes - have been modified to improve resistance to disease, increase the rate of growth or enhance nutritional value. However, cultivation of these transgenic crops is generally tightly regulated, particularly within the European Union, and this, together with negative public opinion, has limited the more widespread development of GM technologies.
Similar to GM crops, many of the animals currently under development are intended to confer disease resistance, an application particularly suited to the use of zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) technology. Many diseases can be treated by the targeted deletion or modification of a host gene. With ZFNs, these targets can be modified with no footprint of genetic engineering. Due to the high costs of raising livestock, another area of focus in developing commercial GM animals has been increasing the rate of growth or size of animals. Among the first GM animals likely to be launched is a fast growing salmon from AquaBounty. The AquAdvantage Salmon is designed to reach market size in half the time of a wild type salmon, reducing costs for fish farmers and limiting the environmental impact of salmon farming by avoiding the need for ocean pens.
Although genetic engineering of animals for food is primarily driven by economic pressures, GM technologies have also been used in the companion animals market. In this sector, genetic modification can be used for practical purposes - such as the creation of hypoallergenic animals or the correction of heritable congenital defects which have arisen though inbreeding - or for purely cosmetic purposes, such as GloFish. The first example of a GM pet, GloFish are fluorescent zebrafish (Danio rerio) that have had genes encoding naturally fluorescent proteins (GFP, YFP, RFP) inserted into their genome. Developed by a group at the National University of Singapore, GloFish were originally created to develop live detection systems for water pollution. They were introduced as pets in the United States in 2003 following over two years of extensive environmental research and consultation. In Europe however, the sale and possession of GloFish is prohibited by rigorous legislation concerning the use of GM technologies.
By allowing precisely targeted insertion of spider genes and concomitant removal of endogenous silkworm silk genes at the same locus, ZFN technology offers the potential for development of transgenic silkworms which will produce native spider silk at commercially viable levels
Perhaps even more interesting from a commercial perspective is the use of GM animals in the manufacture of textiles. Silkworms - actually the larval form of the silkmoth Bombyx mori - have been used for the production of silk for thousands of years, with natural silk still produced by the cultivation of silkworms today. Silkworm cocoons are unwound to create linear silk threads, then re-spun into textiles in much the same way as cotton. Although the applications of silkworm silk are numerous, due to their unique physical and chemical properties, there is also widespread interest in the silks of several other insects.
Spider silk, in particular, offers numerous possibilities within the technical textiles industry, due to its incredible tensile strength and elasticity; characteristics which have not yet been replicated in synthetic materials. Like all insect silks, spider silk fibres consist of repetitive units of protein crystals separated by less structured protein chains. The exact properties and composition of each spider silk vary with its intended function. Major Ampullate or dragline silk, for example, is relatively hydrophobic with very high tensile strength and toughness, as it is used to form the outer rim and spokes of a web. In contrast, hydrophilic capture spiral silks, which form the inner structures of the web, are sticky and highly elastic to effectively entrap prey. This high degree of variability offers enormous potential for the textiles industry, raising the possibility of tailoring the properties of silk to create advanced technical fabrics, for applications such as bulletproof vests, parachute canopies and automobile airbags; biomedical applications, including sutures and tendon and ligament repair; new fabrics, for sportswear and clothing; and even microelectronics.
Although the use of spider silks for microsutures has recently been reported, more widespread application of spider silk technologies is currently limited by the difficulty in producing silks on a commercially viable scale. This is due to the difficulties of rearing spiders in large numbers, due to their highly territorial and cannibalistic nature. As a result, the harvesting of spider silk fibres is extremely time consuming and labour intensive, with production of the only known spider silk garment - an 11 foot by 4 foot shawl made from golden orb spider silk - taking 150 people over five years to produce and costing in excess of £300,000!
.
To overcome these limitations, and allow future development of spider silk technologies, an alternative strategy for spider silk production is required. This makes spider silk production an obvious candidate for genetic modification, inserting spider silk genes into the genome
of other silk-making insects for bioproduction. For example, random insertion of orb spider silk genes into silkworms has allowed production of hybrid spider/silkworm silk using traditional silkworm farming strategies. The resulting hybrid silk contains approximately 10% spider silk
and has greater strength and durability than native silkworm silk, raising the possibility of using transgenic silkworms to produce pure spider silks.
Though straightforward in principle, the exchange of native silkworm genes for spider silk genes, alongside more widespread exploitation of genetic engineering, has been limited by the inherent restrictions of conventional GM technologies.
The generalised process of modifying an organism requires several capabilities, including:
While many different techniques exist for accomplishing each of these steps, most GM technologies offer a compromise between the efficiency of the technique and the ability to accurately and precisely target the locus of interest. Viral genomic delivery technologies effectively deliver nucleic acids to cells and organisms, but fall short on ability to target specific regions of the genome, generally only allowing random insertion of genetic material. In comparison, transposase technologies allow a greater degree of targeting, but leave unwanted traces of exogenous DNA in their wake. Other methods involve the introduction of naked DNA into the cell, which results in insertion into the genome at very low frequencies, usually at random, limiting this approach to organisms that can be economically cultivated at high densities and screened in large numbers. Simply put, most techniques for genetic manipulation are random, inefficient and leave a 'footprint' of foreign DNA. While this is usually tolerated in basic research, it is not acceptable for most commercial applications, and has been a major hurdle for GM animal technologies to date.
The advent of zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) technology represents a significant breakthrough for commercialisation of GM animal products, offering precisely targeted, efficient genome editing for the first time. Commercially available through Sigma Life Science under the CompoZr brand, this technique can be used to create permanent and heritable changes to an organism of interest.
This high degree of variability offers enormous potential for the textiles industry, raising the possibility of tailoring the properties of silk to create advanced technical fabrics
ZFNs are a class of engineered DNA binding proteins that facilitate targeted editing of the genome by creating double-strand breaks at user-specified locations. These breaks stimulate the cell's natural DNA repair mechanisms - homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) - which can be exploited to achieve rapid and permanent site-specific modification of the desired genes. While HR can be used to insert foreign DNA sequences, NHEJ allows the cell's natural processes to create precisely targeted mimics of natural mutations which leave no traces of foreign DNA. Unlike previous techniques, ZFNs offer excellent sequence specificity, binding 24 to 36 base pair target sequences to virtually eliminate off target effects, and are able to achieve modification rates exceeding 20 %, well above rates for most other technologies.
The technique is already being used to create transgenic silkworms for spider silk production. By allowing precisely targeted insertion of spider genes and concomitant removal of endogenous silkworm silk genes at the same locus, ZFN technology offers the potential for development of transgenic silkworms which will produce native spider silk at commercially viable levels.
GM technologies have revolutionised the research world and have great potential in a variety of commercial applications, but have been limited by the inherent restrictions associated with historical GM technologies. The main drawback of these technologies is their inability to accurately and efficiently target genes of interest, instead relying on random insertion of genetic material into host genomes. These limitations result in the need for extensive and costly screening to identify animals with correct transgene expression (without compromising the viability of the animal), and also result in the co-expression of both the transgene and native homologues already present.
The advent of ZFN technology signifies the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the world of genetic modification, allowing precise, targeted and efficient genome editing for the first time. Production of native spider silk using transgenic silkworms is just one example of the potential commercial applications of this innovative technology, taking us one step closer to the reality of industrial scale biomanufacturing and paving the way for an entirely new spectrum of environmentally friendly materials.
Authors:
Joseph Bedell and Brian Buntaine
Commercial Animal Technologies Group, Sigma Advanced Genetic Engineering (SAGE) Labs, Sigma Life Science
HEADLINES FOR KRAIG BIOCRAFT LABORATORIES / (KBLB):
PHOTOS FROM VIETNAM POSTED JULY 6, 2018
ANN ARBOR, Mich., – January 7, 2019 –Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (OTCQB: KBLB) (“Company”), the leading developer of spider silk based fibers, announces today that it has successfully delivered the first two shipments of its highly specialized silkworms, which produce a silk with the physical characteristics of spider silk, to Vietnam.
Today’s announcement is the culmination of more than 5 years of work, and challenging negotiation, with the government of Vietnam. The silkworms from these first two shipments have already hatched and are now enjoying a fresh mulberry diet, so, for the first time in history, the global demand for spider silk materials has a viable, cost effective, and scalable solution.
“The dream of commercializing our powerful technology is now materializing. This marks a dramatic leap forward in Kraig Labs’ business plan for commercial production and mass marketing of cost effective recombinant spider silk, and becomes the foundation for an entirely new industry,” said, COO, Jon Rice. “To our long-term shareholders, who have taken this journey with us, as well as our team in the US and Vietnam, who have worked tirelessly to make this dream a reality, I cannot thank you enough. As we start the New Year, full of new opportunity, we truly have something incredible to celebrate.”
The Company has been working with leading sericulture experts, biotechnology institutions, and governmental agencies, in Vietnam, to further boost the silk industry with our revolutionary technology. Kraig Labs is currently finalizing renovation plans for a ~46,000 square foot production factory in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.
“Our plan has always been to bring our technology to the silk producing regions of the world for rapid scale-up,” said, CEO and Founder, Kim Thompson. “Today we see the fruits of that effort. With its massive silk infrastructure and production capacity, Vietnam is an ideal location to launch our technology scale-up. Congratulations to our team and shareholders, as we prepare for the realization of large scale production.”
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