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When will people realize that YOU are full of crap? Honestly.
KBLB has had an order from Kings for $40 million dollars worth of silk. Since January 2021. If they could have provided silk in 2021, Kings would have bought it.
KBLB is not waiting for an order for silk. They are trying to find a way to produce it. Signs are positive and there is reason to be hopeful.
Not for the first time.
"
When will people realize that Ben is full of crap?"
Well to answer your question... l've never thought Ben is full of crap. He may not know as much as you think you know, but then I'm sure you are full of crap.
Banana, thanks for your thoughts.
<< Don't forget the AF contract which should be announced sometime towards the end of July or by mid-August. >>
As usual, that is a complete lie.
The DOD hasn't even posted an RFP yet.
<< From what Ben said to me last week the problem would not be repeated yet it was. >>
When will people realize that Ben is full of crap?
Trainer.....I have been saying this for a long time. No huge news will be released until we have multi-ton production verified with silk in hand. This is when the news like the great SS clothing reveal via SPYDASILK and the Kings Group, consistent multi-ton production, earnings, and contracts. I call these the four Krakens. The key to their release is production. Kim is playing this very smart not releasing anything huge until he is ready.
Don't forget the AF contract which should be announced sometime towards the end of July or by mid-August. I am sure KBLB is in full gear preparing for the demands of the AF. The story with KBLB is developing every so cautiously and slowly. We will get there, and I truly appreciate the way Kim is running the company. He is slow and steady and ever so cautious, the way I like it. Success is inevitable but a bit more patience is needed.
What I don't understand is why folks are not preparing for this eventual share price increase. Some investors are actually selling. Talk about doing things ass backwards. I also believe KBLB should be trading at .25 to .30 right now. GLTY. GO KBLB!
Banana, I think we will be there when KNLB has orders from customers for the fiest metric ton.
I agree Longrider and thanks again. From what Ben said to me last week the problem would not be repeated yet it was.
I will say I'm not sure why and was only suggesting what Ben may have thought . In other words I'm in the dark as much as everyone else. Lets hope for better.
I believe Ben thought the news would and could spark enough interest to get most services to cover PR's from daily news picked up on national news services.
They are spending lots of money on paid PR's. I see Ben hoping that would be the case. To date it isn't important enough to be carried free. Hopefully that time is nearing the starting gate.
That happens a lot or most or every time they use Newsfile rather than GlobeNewswire, take your pick. Dollar wise and pound foolish!
So I submitted this on https://www.kraiglabs.com/contact/ page. Maybe that will help?
When you use Newsfile rather than GlobeNewswire, your press releases are not reaching various brokers so Newsfile is not doing a very good job of getting the information out to as wide an audience as possible. Were you aware of this and can you include GlobeNewswire as a distribution channel? Thank you kindly.
It still hasn’t hit fidelity either.
Anyone talking to Walter Wee on LinkedIn?
I imagine he’s getting excited to launch Spydasilk and let the cat out of the bag….
“Walter wee spydasilk product launch
Walter Wee, a strategic advisor for Vietnam, has been involved in the development of Spydasilk, a revolutionary new material. According to the search results, the launch of Spydasilk depends on King’s timeline, and Walter Wee is timing the launch to ensure a smooth transition and to avoid wasting marketing dollars. The online launch is expected to target the ASEAN market and may last for at least a few months.
Walter Wee has also been involved in promoting Spydasilk through various events and partnerships. He has attended the International Textile & Garment Expo in Vietnam and has met with industrial leaders to introduce Spydasilk and its potential applications. Additionally, he has partnered with sustainable fashion brand Me2We to showcase Spydasilk at a UNESCO site, receiving an amazing response from attendees.
It is clear that Walter Wee is a key player in the development and launch of Spydasilk, and his expertise and connections are crucial to the success of this new material.”
AI-generated answer
Accumulation down here is on….with such major global expansions could only mean Products and contracts are already settled. Kblb looks like an any day erupting volcano$
KBLB….VERY rare$
Where will they store all this silk?
Isn’t the disused shed at Warwick mills full already??!?
Woo hoo!!! Ahead of schedule!!!
Lol
<< All they have tested or trialed are the parent lines. No word was ever said of raising the actual BAM1 hybrid. >>
Exactly.
They haven't tested the BAM-1 hybrid line yet, and that milestone doesn't seem to be on the timeline.
<< How do you get a month ahead of schedule in one week when raising silkworms? >>
"Ahead of schedule" is one of KBLB's favorite forward-looking terms to entice investors to buy their bags of poop. They have been propagating that lie for over a decade and a half.
You know I’m beginning to feel old.
Back in the day
“acceleration of production….to metric ton production”
Was “ramping up” and “doubling up”
You know. The metric ton they were working on in the early/mid 2010s.
Sure. It’s different this time.
Getting more eyes on this every single day. If the PPS rises over the course of the next several weeks or months past the ATH… and if KBLB is successful. Millions of new investors worldwide will want to own shares. That’s the push into the dollars and high dollar range.
The HOLY GRAIL of fabrics is coming.
I’m all in.
Risk vs Reward ratio favors the shareholder.
This has been a dud at the open.was expecting so much more
Patrik
“The next generation of BAM-1 spider silk hybrids are now prepared for launch nearly a full month ahead of schedule.”
Am I the only one missing something here? How do you get to the next generation when you haven’t even raised the first one? All they have tested or trialed are the parent lines. No word was ever said of raising the actual BAM1 hybrid. How do you get a month ahead of schedule in one week when raising silkworms?
“The amazing successes of the spring production trials demonstrate that we have unlocked the key to metric ton level spider silk production" The door to multi-ton production is wide open for KBLB. We are finally there! GO KBLB!
Yes, sir, KBLB will achieve "metric ton levels of spider silk production in 2024". This is THE YEAR for KBLB. I predict a quick expansion into Cambodia since I believe the government there is all open to KBLB's technology, and they need to build their silk industry. Time to buy below a quarter. GO KBLB!
Explain webby
How did you get to that conclusion from the PR?
Pls explain
<< The ceo Kim Thompson couldn’t be any clearer about what is coming! >>
Yes, massive dilution....
This pr still hasn’t hit Schwab yet. Hoping this pr can put us past the
elusive .015
Patrik
“Thanks for helping to keep things honest here.”
Honesty, for you, is to repetitively point out no product and no sales for a development stage penny stock?
If we’re being honest, don’t we also need to look at recent PRs to see where the company is at today? Or is it more honest to only complain due to scars from the past?
I know you are suggesting a vision check for others. Maybe a group rate is available.
Not everyone needs a wet blanket constantly tossed onto what should have started out as a lottery ticket but is more and more looking like it might cash out.
It’s okay to look forward vs dwelling on the past. It’s okay to acknowledge true experts being involved have helped the company overcome hurdles to the point where long hesitant government agencies in Vietnam have gotten on board.
It’s okay to have a little hope for the future, to day dream a little bit. That’s what pretty much everyone who invests in an OTC penny stock is hoping for. That they’ve chosen the diamond in the rough that succeeds. It’s okay to have a little fun.
This is not a treasury bills inside a life insurance policy inside an IRA situation. Different risk parameters. Not everyone has the stomach for it. You’ll recognize the ones that don’t. They are constantly fretting and worrying, doing what they can to recommend endless caution. Their endless fear doesn’t allow them to ever just enjoy the ride.
W2R
If Someone is sitting on the sidelines out there watching and waiting, I wouldn’t sit there too long. If there was ever a time to buy a ton of shares, it’s right now…. I can promise you this will one will kick you in the butt if the person sits there and does nothing… been there done that
The ceo Kim Thompson couldn’t be any clearer about what is coming!
If anybody needed a "heads on" from Managment they , imo , got it today :
"we have unlocked the key to metric ton level spider silk production,” said Founder and CEO, Kim Thompson. “Our team is ready. "
"With these operational improvements in place, the Company has elected to accelerate its launch of larger-scale operations and accelerate its production schedule. The next generation of BAM-1 spider silk hybrids are now prepared for launch nearly a full month ahead of schedule. Kraig Labs will continue to keep its shareholders updated as the BAM-1 hybrid production expansion continues and the Company brings additional production capacity online".
What an idiot!!!
"While the details of these operational advancements will remain the Company’s trade secrets, these enhancements broadly fall into five unique categories: nutrition, climate, genetic, staffing, and rearing conditions. Kraig Labs made significant advancements in each of these areas during the spring trials under the guidance of celebrated sericulture expert, Dr. Nirmal Kumar".
How "fanciful..."
Good News in !!!! CA-BOOOM Shorts take cover LOL IMO
https://www.kraiglabs.com/kraig-biocraft-laboratories-prepares-to-accelerate-production-launch-following-spring-trials-success/
"he Company identified key input parameters in five specific aspects of its production operations that contributed to the exceptional results in the spring trials. "
KRAIG BIOCRAFT LABORATORIES PREPARES TO ACCELERATE PRODUCTION LAUNCH FOLLOWING SPRING TRIALS SUCCESS
ANN ARBOR, Mich., – May 20, 2024 –Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (OTCQB: KBLB) (“the Company” or “Kraig Labs”), announces today that it has completed its analysis of its spring spider silk production trials. Kraig Labs is rapidly integrating lessons learned from the production trials to establish a strong foundation for production expansion in 2024.
The Company identified key input parameters in five specific aspects of its production operations that contributed to the exceptional results in the spring trials. Through the identification and close monitoring of these inputs, Kraig Labs expects that it will be able to sustain its projected growth trajectory, targeting metric ton levels of spider silk production in 2024.
These process enhancements range from major advancements in our silkworm genetics introduced in Q1, to minor modifications in feeding cycles, feedstock selection, and facility layout. When combined, these process improvements resulted in the largest, strongest, and most robust silkworms and recombinant spider silk cocoons that Kraig Labs has ever produced.
While the details of these operational advancements will remain the Company’s trade secrets, these enhancements broadly fall into five unique categories: nutrition, climate, genetic, staffing, and rearing conditions. Kraig Labs made significant advancements in each of these areas during the spring trials under the guidance of celebrated sericulture expert, Dr. Nirmal Kumar.
“The amazing successes of the spring production trials demonstrate that we have unlocked the key to metric ton level spider silk production,” said Founder and CEO, Kim Thompson. “Our team is ready. Our silkworm genetics are ready. Now is the time to build out the production capacity and scale our operations to meet the demand for spider silk.”
With these operational improvements in place, the Company has elected to accelerate its launch of larger-scale operations and accelerate its production schedule. The next generation of BAM-1 spider silk hybrids are now prepared for launch nearly a full month ahead of schedule. Kraig Labs will continue to keep its shareholders updated as the BAM-1 hybrid production expansion continues and the Company brings additional production capacity online.
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 genetically engineered 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
So "fanciful claims" are that KBLB will succeed in Mass Commercialization of Spider Silk while building a sustainable company around maintaining that? Ok. I'm guilty. But, if I didn't think the company was able to back up those "fanciful claims" I wouldn't be invested. Not sure why anyone who believed otherwise would?
Seems like you have difficulty distinguishing between possibility and certainty and have difficulty tolerating those who fail to see the world in black and white as you do.
Maybe an ophthalmologist could help? At least they might be able to diagnose your inability to see even shades of grey.
Good luck.
I always enjoy your succinct summary of KBLB’s status as a counterpoint to the many wild and unbridled proclamations of success.
Many vocal posters here who can’t tolerate any fact-based challenges to their fanciful claims based on suggestive language in KBLB’s PRs.
Thanks for helping to keep things honest here.
LOL! Thanks for confirming. 🤪
WOW
THATS SOME GUESS
that is something I’ve been completely open about. Left some all the table. Already cashed in profit.
who are you?...the town cryer?...lol
just sit on that fence and post your usual ton of doubts and negativity...while hoping (of course) that you are wrong...
SMGDH
Just trying to get some to acknowledge their proclamations are presented as certainties while they are really just wild-ass guesses.
Even though Mojo has stated repeatedly he never makes mistakes…
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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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