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Man, with the amount of shares I have and these price drops.... It's stressing me out. Everyone is getting tired of waiting.
Yeah, magazine reporters and editors are pretty stupid as a rule.
In this era of instant internet gratification they tend to follow the path of least effort.
This usually means that they do a web search on key words in their article and link to the page with the greatest number of hits or other links.
This tends to perpetuate some really stupid linkages to really stupid web pages.
This is not a new or original thought.
At one point last year the #1 most popular, most visited, most linked to page on the WWW was a utube video of 1 or 2 human males "twirling" their natural tassles.
Mike L.
if you click on the Highlighted word Spider silk in the article it takes you to the bulletproof skin article
RE: "Quote:Revenues? I dont expect any this year, at least not enough worth talking about. Any revenues at the early stages would not offset any spending but actually cost KBLB money to get those revenues.... but if KBLB got big enough orders to offset the overhead, ..." (Manshoon, not First_Mike)
IMHO you are confounding revenues with profit.
If you get ANY income you are getting revenues whether or not they are enough to put you into a net profit.
Beginning to get revenues coming in (which is essentially the same as getting a product on the market in most cases)is one of the two most important transitional points for a company.
Spending money to get them is absolutely unavoidable as is, in the beginning spending MORE money than you get back in.
Yes, profitability is a very important transition point but it is not the only one as you appear to believe.
(again, that's directed to Manshoon. I don't generally read his posts which is why this is in a reply to First_Mike's post)
From Zenaku's DARPA project article:
I may be wrong but I don't remember reading this statement in earlier 10Qs:
"Management believes that actions presently being taken to obtain additional funding and implement its strategic plans provide the opportunity for the Company to continue as a going concern."
I like the sound of it anyways.....
Actually MANY other companies are "tweaking cells" and a large number of them are using SIAL/SGMO's zinc fingers to do it!
But, of course, only KBLB can use them in silkworms.
You wanna use the piggyBac? KBLB owns that use in silkworms as well. (And don't forget: KBLB owns the rights to the 200 spider genes and to the adaptations needed to get them to work in silkworms.
The next biotech wave will start very soon and it will, IMHO, completely dwarf the previous ones. The one in 1999/2000 was premature: all factors were not in place. THIS time it will be very different thanks in no small part to zinc fingers and, of course genomic sequencing (now obeying Moore's Law), gene expression array chips, ZF knockouts (specific to targeted tissues and/or times of development if needed), advances in bioinformatics and much more besides). THIS wave will be the BIG one AND it will have staying power (think soliton).
1999/2000 was like "we've got this massive supply of lumber and all we have to work it with are hand saws and hand drilling holes for wooden pegs. NOW we have circular saws and nail guns.
"Factories" that reproduce themselves! Just for the fun of it!
"Factories" that run on peanuts. Or mulberry leaves. Or whatever.
"Factories that can be converted to make entirely new products (with zinc fingers) rapidly, routinely and very inexpensively (so even small runs of products are economical.
The artificial organism will be part of it, but not for another decade or two (or more). By then KBLB should own enough IP on sequences for all kinds of products that it won;t matter WHAT organism you produce it it: KBLB will still own the sequence.
THis is in the very early stages and will take many years to develop. (Even with someone as brilliant as Craig Venter working on it. Venter is absolutely in a class of his own when it comes to getting things done very quickly (he advanced the ENTIRE sector of biotechnology a good ten years by sequencing the human genome (under Francis Collins (who had declined to allow Venter to use the whole genome shotgun technique that put sequencing at light speed) it would have taken the public group ten years longer to finish the human genome (the public "tie" announced by the government was face-saving pure BS).
But this project is VASTLY more complex than just sequencing a genome. Venter is well up to the task but it's going to take him well over a decade (and that would be exceptionally fast work).
LOL...how did you get that? Not even "almost."
"Scientists have tweaked cells in order to develop renewable petroleum and spider silk that’s tough as steel."
So who is the only company able to tweak cells? DNA? Do you know of any other company that is doing this. So rather than KBLB being left behind, they are the front runner. The article is referring to KBLB's scientists and achievements.
only if you cant read :)
Almost reads like KBLB is being left behind......
It looks like Lewis got some money from the DOE for this to help support his new lab.
Thanks Zenaku...Dr. Lewis sure is good at getting his name mentioned.... EVERYWHERE..
Hi Fatcat,
You just need to get used to the concept that KBLB is a Development Stage company.
ALL development stage companies spend 98+% of their time in a "steady downward spiral of the pps."
The PPS of All development stage companies moves like a saw tooth function, brief rapid rises or jumps (on good news), followed by long steady downward movement until the next brief rise.
If you are only going to be happy while the PPS is rising, and unhappy while it is falling, then you will only be happy 1 or 2 percent of the time.
This is a terrible way to live.
If you can't overcome these feelings it would be better for you to get out now, take the pain of your losses, and begin to heal.
Ask KC10, he got out and he is much happier now.
Eventually, perhaps next month, perhaps next year, KBLB will become profitable and cease to be a development state company.
When this happens the PPS will rise relatively steadily and be rising more days than falling. You could reinvest then and be happy more often than not.
Or you could put your money into a nice safe AAA bond or bond fund and enjoy small but steady appreciation for many years to come.
If you invest through a Guaranteed Minimum Interest variable annuity you will be assured of constantly increasing income from your investment.
If you are looking for a slow steady rise in value this is not the stock for you, nor is any OTCBB stock.
If you are looking for a very rapid steady rise in value, well, so is everyone else.
Let me know when you find it and I will invest my money there also.
(but be advised, if it looks too good to be true, it is probably a scam. Even if the people behind it have the most impressive credentials possible, like the former non-executive chairman of the NASDAQ stock market, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), a self-regulatory securities industry organization,... Bernard Madoff.)
Mike L.
I'm an investor and an advocate, not a fair weather friend. Most can see the huge opportunity to create value for shareholders ... some can't see past te share price. We'll see who has the last laugh ... and it won't be long, imo.
git 'er done and let 'er run ... boooooo yaaaaahhh !!!!
Red
I am so glad you posted those! I love TED. Thanks for the links. Great info.
We need a commercialization deal on MS, to provide fuel to investors and KBLB...while we progress to a myriad of innovative applications.
Seems to be "exciting" times for everyone but KBLB investors, for us it's just a steady downward spiral of the pps.
KBLB is gonna be a game changer ...
http://www.ted.com/talks/fiorenzo_omenetto_silk_the_ancient_material_of_the_future.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/cheryl_hayashi_the_magnificence_of_spider_silk.html
http://www.boyle-associates.com/blog/will-your-next-cell-phone-tv-or-biomedical-device-be-made-of-spiders-silk#!prettyPhoto
Red
Looks like all Biomedical Structures needs is some spider silk non-woven product and they will be the first to market artificial tendons and ligaments with spider silk.
I guess Biomedical Structures should be signing an NDA with KBLB until their products are developed and tested then sell the whole company to J&J for BIG BUCKS !!! cha chingo baby .....
git 'er done and let 'er run ..... this is getting a little exciting now ain't it !!! booooooooooooyaaaaaaaaah!
When we gonna see that spider silk blimp flying over the Super Bowl? LOL Go, GO, GO, GO GOODYEAR !!!
Red
Good find, thank you! Such developments greatly extend the potential uses of spider silk and spider silk protein.
I did. One GM per round is the usual/established practice with zinc fingers.
There are two reasons for that:
1) researchers like to make one change at a time so they know what is responsible for the results.
2) zinc fingers don't make changes in all cells: currently (this may improve) they change about 30% of cells. That is immensely better than other methods of Gm which generally change only a very small fraction of a percent (millionths of a percent with some (which for that reason are only good for microbes). But if you attempt two GMs at the same time you won't get more than about 9% of progeny with both GMs. For three the number goes south of 3%.
For KBLB's purposes, if you get the desired result from several GMs, it is of little concern what the relative contribution of each was to the end results. So 1) may not apply.
Kim is in a BIG hurry. A silkworm lays between 100 and 300 eggs. Thus it is entirely possible that they might attempt two or even three ZF GMs simultaneously. (and THAT could be the "change in protocol" that they had several weeks delay considering back in December/January) [[normal cells have numerous zinc fingers working simultaneously at most times. So there is no inherent reason why you could not do a number of ZF GMs at once. You'd just get fewer offspring with all GMs and the contributions of each GM to the result would not be clear. If those don't concern you, GO FOR IT!
PLEASE NOTE: I do not know that Kim is doing this. It is PURE SPECULATION of something that he COULD do.
But it does point out that we REALLY DO NOT KNOW ENOUGH TO MAKE ACCURATE ESTIMATES OF TIMING. Things MIGHT happen a lot sooner than expected. Or not. Or later than expected. WE DON"T KNOW!
From the 10Q re share issuances.
Biomedical Structures Introduces Breakthrough Medical Textile Weaving Capabilities For Artificial Tendon And Ligament Applications.
Title Source:
http://www.textileworld.com/Articles/2012/May/Biomedical_Structures_Introduces_Breakthrough_Medical_Textile_Weaving_Capabilities.html
Other sources:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/biomedical-structures-introduces-breakthrough-medical-textile-weaving-capabilities-for-artificial-tendon-and-ligament-applications-2012-05-08
http://www.bmsri.com/structures-overview/
Biomedical Structures also offers Consulting Services:
Consulting Services
BMS’ engineering team assists customers in identifying the best textile approach for their technical challenges, and works to meet every need from prototyping to product optimization. Consulting services include:
•Design/Feasibility
•Development
•Compliance and Validation
•Biomaterials Testing (including fiber and created structures via ASTM methods)
•Prototyping
Production & Manufacturing Services
BMS is a purpose-built medical facility specifically designed to provide the highest quality service and product to device OEMs. ISO 13485 registered, BMS has successfully passed inspections from the FDA, and brings the same level of quality to each step of the manufacturing process, including volume manufacturing, supply chain management, and packaging and sterilization.
Other manufacturing capabilities for biomedical textiles include:
•Sewing
•Cutting: Laser, Die, Ultrasonic
•Shaping
•Texturing
•Twisting/Plying
•Scouring
•Air and Vacuum Drying
•Biomaterial Printing Services (via partner CI Medical)
This is the kind of company KBLB should be working with.
Maybe Kim should take a trip to Phili tomorrow.
-Join BMS at Booth #1350 at MD&M East from May 22-24 in Philadelphia.-
http://www.canontradeshows.com/expo/east12/
Go KBLB.
as I suspected (since we just had ammended filings anyways) no new info really.
FYI, for anyone looking at taking a "first look" at sec filings.
1. Balance sheets
2. share issuances
Look at the (mostly) jargon later. It is EASY, and quick to get a quick overview of the company by looking at cash and share flow.
on the balance sheets.... to be simple..... just look at what is in BOLD
What's up with the 10Q
I thought you said only one genetic modification can happen per round?
Good job guys.
I don't have time for much of anything but work these days so I'm glad you are keeping things in check.
Even in the early stages predicting when results of GMs would be released was more difficult that I'd have thought it would be. That's even more true now: While in the early stages it was pretty clear that rounds would almost certainly involve one GM, that's not at all clear now. And we know that Kim is planning multiple changes in Gen2. BUt what we don't know is what changes, in what order and are they going to be sequential or all in one round to different lines and then combined into the lines so every line receives multiple GMs. In either case, Kim may or may not want to wait until all GM's are in the lines to announce any results. (It would all depend on whether the results of the first rounds were worth announcing. If, for example, the results of the first round were just from putting the same SSP into the platform worms based on the Large Commercial worms (the piggyBaced worms were wild worms) then the results might be very similar to the results in Monster Silk worms. If that's the case,perhaps better left unannounced (a "we did essentially the same thing again except in a differnt worm" might not be taken too well by investors who didn't understand that this was an essential step toward getting all three SSPs into the LCW PWs for gen 2.)
We also don't know what was done in the GM's done in mid January. IF that was to put the same SSP put into MS worms into LCW PW's, that's probably why we've heard nothing. So this round and one more could get all three SSP's into all 10 lines of worms (sometime in July or August).
Obviously the spider silk proteins don't work terribly well with silkworm proteins gen 1 was only 15% SSP (I ASSUME that the 15% means "15% of the major SSP" (judging from context, etc) but it might have meant %15% of all three spider silk proteins (and that would be considerably better than just 15% of the major SSP))
The silk proteins work together and you would expect silkworm proteins AND spider silk proteins to work better alone than when mixed. That's why I think he MIGHT want to wait until all three SSPs had been added.
[[an unlikely possibility, but just in case I get caught by surprise I can say you were warned: It might be possible to do more than one GM to the same worm in the same round. With two GMs you'd probably get about 9% successful GMs instead of 30% but with generation sizes of 100 that wouldn't be unacceptable. cells have multiple zinc fingers at work all the time, so why not? IF they did one SSP in January and two in April they might have worms with all 3 in cocoons by end of July or August. A pretty outside chance but not impossible*1]]
BOTTOM LINE: There are a lot of possibilities. So there is NO point at which you can say "it's definitely overdue" for a very long time. Considerable patience may well be required. My GUESS would be that a deal on MS is as likely to come before results on gen 2 as not.
If a deal was announced at some point IMHO that would take most of the pressure off to get results on the Gen2.
What everyone is so eager for is that magic CONFIRMATION whether it's a deal on MS or news of an even better silk.
Celera Genomics got a MASSIVE PR boost from the widespread coverage surrounding the sequencing of the human genome. I have no doubt that KBLB will get a similar boost from all of the widespread coverage of spider silk. It just needs that "seal of approval": a deal on MS or a silk closely approaching spider silk (gen 2).
We probably will have to endue a further drift downward in SP if news doesn't come soon. But if you sell out planning to buy back cheaper you could lose big time if news hits out of the blue (which it almost certainly will). Same story with most early stage biotechs. It's always hard on first time in high tech investors. Old hands know what to expect.
----------
*1 footnote delayed waiting for response from inquiry to SIAL - why guess when you can ask?
Why is the PPS staying so low?
Hi Manshoon,
Thanks Zinc. Your efforts in explaining a lot of what is happening is appreciated.
Can we expect news By July 1St on the outcome of the GM's? Just trying to get a feel for the window.
Guys, you ALL have seriously got to read the filings. It takes me 2 minutes tops to find any info I need, now that I have the base knowledge. The next 10q will only matter to me for "subsequent events", which covers issuances PAST the period covered in the filing - the filing.
The recent sec filing forced Kim to file January- may share issuances, some of which were shown in the 10k, but we got a Csc share issuance that only shows up on the recent s1 pos am.
Read the filings, not for me, not for anyone, it is just good things to be aware of
Good question.
Glad you are here Mike.
I could be wrong (and will check when I get time) but I believe that Dr. Fraser developed a means to remove the piggyBac once it has accomplished it's purpose. If so the concern expressed in the article is non applicable.
In any event, as previously noted, silkworms cannot survive in the wild (due to changes during 5,000 years of domestication).
Some degree of caution to prevent accidental release are in order, but probably more to protect from theft than anything else. Given their inability to survive, that level should be quite sufficient and nothing like the much more stringent measures to prevent accidental release of organisms that CAN reproduce in the wild would be merited, IMHO.
The main precaution needed would be to simply not raise them in areas were there were indigenous moths capable of breeding with them. Then, if they do escape (highly unlikely considering that they cannot fly) they cannot reproduce among themselves and there's nothing out there that can breed with them.
thank you for taking the time for that so important,imo post.
Thanks Manshoon,
I did not know that we had info on the April Put.
Where did you find this if not in a 10K/Q?
Mike L.
Mike, rayo, we already have 1q share issuance. We have shares issued until MAY. It just isn't on a "q"
Kim just sold more shares in April19. 2.4 million shares for 100k.
It's dilution hurting pps.
Be glad that it is and not something else.
Hi Silkmaster,
And they taught him a lesson and then had him come back. I am certainly am not saying I could do better . At some point he will need to hire and expand, just one man's opinion.
Mike,
If CSC has the right to sell so and so stocks every month now
Dont you see the pps getting near 0.02-0.04 area if no news arrive via Kim or lab??
P.S
I thought i will never see 0.05 again
But as always...never say never (-:
Thanks
Steve Jobs was a micro manager of the highest order by all accounts Stowe. He was a control freak too. I believe he wasn't quite at the genius level Kim is at though :)
Hi Manshoon, Rayovac,
Both of your posts have some validity.
Rayovac points out that KBLB has not been using the puts to CSC in recent months.
But as Manshoon says, they may be using this cash source right now and we will only learn if and how much after the fact.
KBLB's 1st quarterly report (10Q) will be out soon and we will have more recent facts from that.
I agree that CSC seems to be acting as a conduit, not an investor, but CSC can only sell shares that are put to them by KBLB.
In the absence of exact and current facts and figures it is easy to speculate on who is selling and who is buying but it is ALL only speculation.
Mike L.
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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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