Replies to post #24243 on Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc (KBLB)

[ZincFinger]

I said it before but I guess it got buried. The large commercial worm is very highly domesticated and like most domesticated animals has many weaknesses and vulnerabilities as a result. For example it has stubs for wings and can't fly, so it could not survive in the wild (for many other reasons as well). The process of doing genetic modifications can be hard on an animal not to mention the stress of having genes from another species inserted. That, IMHO, is probably why a less domesticated version was used. (For a good example of the difference between domesticated and wildtype, compare a wild turkey (very intelligent and can fly) to a domesticated version: can't fly, dumb as a fencepost and can barely support its own weight and could never survive in the wild.

It also may have something to do with the wildtype being sequenced and the domestic type not IF that was the case(just a guess) as the wildtype is generally of more scientific interest as opposed to commercial interests. And they'd need to have the sequence available for the specific type they were using for the genetic modifications.

I'm sure they didn't just grab one at random.

Nice to get a decent question out of all the trader chaff today (obviously trading isn't my thing!)

[rockgirl]

Fraser's team originally started the piggyBac genetic manipulations using a worm that was already mutated. I believe it was incapable of producing silk (at all)on its own in the beginning. I never read whether they created this "starter worm" themselves, or procured it from someone like SIAL (that sells genetically mutated rats).

I initially thought they used this particular worm due to the fact that ANY silk production would indicate a measure of success. They also added a marker to the DNA that caused the worms' eyes to fluoresce under certain light....if the correct DNA had been integrated into the genotype.

The inability of the original worm to produce silk was most likely enzyme related, as they obviously still possessed genes that contribute to silk production, hence the combination of spider and worm silk that is now called MonsterSilk.

Hope this explanation helps. :o)

Go KBLB!