This news fits well with what the discussion was about before.
We had discussed that this round would probably not have markers (and why) and that they'd probably wait until the moths emerged (about mid August) to test the silk.
"We are so confident in the technology," continued Thompson, "that we advanced to the second round of micro-insertions even while we are still awaiting a definitive report on the first round."
"This round of micro-insertions is focused on further modifying and advancing the capabilities of our 'Monster Silk' caterpillars,"
As I said, they were (in one round) using the ZFs to remove the worm silk protein (WSP) gene from the Monster Silk worms.
THe spider silk protein (SSP) added to those worms had a green tint. The removal was apparently successful and led to a greener tint (because of the green not being diluted by untinted WSP) and that was a good enough indication to start the next round but not definitive enough to announce, so they are apparently waiting to test the silk after the moths emeerge (about mid August) to announce success WHICH WILL PROBABLY BE PURE SPIDER SILK>
So the indications are good enough to get them to start the next round. Note that I speculated that this might be a two step two generation process if they were starting with a fresh line of not previously GMed worms and adding a SSP gene to the exact location of the WSP gene and then, in a second step, removing the WSP gene.
"The current second round is focused on two objectives: 1) modifying the profile of the expressed proteins in the previously disclosed "Monster Silk" fiber, and 2) potentially creating a new recombinant silk platform technology. "
"Modify the profile of the expressed proteins" in Monster Silk probably means putting a SSP gene into the same location as the WSP gene, as I said they would probably do. While the worms might produce spider silk without a gene in that location, the results with a gene in that location would probably be superior (due to be under the control of all the regulatory mechanisms as the original WSP gene).
"Potentially creating a new recombinant silk platform technology" is probably as I speculated before, either adding their new entirely artificial sequence or adding a spider silk sequence with the heptcidin sequence indcluded. (or both). The first choice would likely be the artificial sequence as it would lead to a product sooner as the heptcidin sequence would have to get FDA approval.
Like I said: it's about a lot more than merely pure spider silk. IMHO the platform worm is the really BIG one. That's the one that will enable a whole range of custom modified spider silk products PLUS completely artificial proteins PLUS production of a whole range of other proteins (including non fiber ones).
OT: Mojo: looks like your early morning marathon was wasted, preempted by the news.
