“Essentially, the polypeptides being patented is the snippet of spidersilk gene flanked by the silkworm genes that guide it to the correct spot in the silkworms DNA.“
polypeptides occur in nature..everything has genes..the manipulation of the these things are happening thousands of times a day..
so what is kblb trying to patent?...the idea of combining spidersilk and silkworm genes?..
is there anything unique in their process?...something that isn’t already being done?..
“It's Dr. Don Jarvis' genetic "cassettes" with Kraig Labs polypeptides that hold the power. ... Essentially, the polypeptides being patented is the snippet of spidersilk gene flanked by the silkworm genes that guide it to the correct spot in the silkworms DNA.“
EXACTLY! Though he is not mentioned as often as Dr.Fraser, it is Don Jarvis' creative genius that is the true key to KBLB's success.
Several years ago Jarvis invented a synthetic precursor sequence that causes the spidroin sequences to be chemically linked with and incorporated into the silkworm silk. It was this breakthrough that gives MS, DS and most of the other KBLB silks the extra strength that is demonstrated vs. "ordinary" silk. Many others have tried to do this in the past, from Dupont to a little Japanese company that makes socks. The idea of combining spidersilk and silkworm genes is not new, several patents have been issued to these predecessors. They showed spidroin being produced by silkworms. What they did NOT show was any significant increase in the strength of the silk. Many have tried and are still trying today (the Goo makers).
ONLY KBLB has succeeded!
Try asking any of the goo makers, Entogenetics, Randy Lewis incorporated, etc. for the specifics of the strength and elongation of the various fibers that they can produce today.
This critical coupling sequence was first mentioned briefly by Dr. Davis in a radio interview several years ago and to the best of my knowledge the specifics of it have been held as something of a trade secret. I am very happy to hear that it is now the subject of a patent application.
From Mojo: polypeptides occur in nature..everything has genes..the manipulation of the these things are happening thousands of times a day.. {and all of the world is composed of atoms, and all of Shakespere's plays are written using the English alphabet -- SO?}
so what is kblb trying to patent?...the idea of combining spidersilk and silkworm genes?.. {No, see above}
is there anything unique in their process?...something that isn’t already being done?.. {YES, see above}
Note: with some small exceptions as noted above this is all FACT, not opinion.