Nerve Repair and Spider Silk

It is indeed unfortunate that many people have a reflexive fear of harmless spiders, but a bit of education and identification can help. So can respect. Unfortunately, these critters tend to wander into our living quarters. Except perhaps golden orb-weavers that make impressive webs.

Kevlar is used for body armor, composite materials for boat hulls, airplane panels, and more. When compared equally, it is five times stronger than steel. Spider silk is still stronger than that. Amazingly, spider silk can be used for nerve repair.

Golden orb-web spider (Nephila pilipes), Flickr / Lip Kee (CC BY-SA 2.0)

When people study what is found in nature and apply concepts and principles to our lives, that is biomimetics. There is quite a bit happening in this truly fascinating field. Some scientists want to use golden orb-weaver spider silk for tissue and nerve repair because it supports many natural functions and does not hinder them. Perhaps this time they will have to admit that the silk was designed by the Master Engineer (as are the spiders themselves) After all, humans cannot make fully imitate the stuff, advanced technology or not.

Man might never be able to perfectly replicate the spider silk that Jesus, the Creator of the Universe designed. Nevertheless, scientists and surgeons have found another resourceful way to use His creation. A study posted on ScienceDaily.com, conducted by Christine Radtke, a Professor for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at MedUni Vienna General Hospital, showed that the silk of golden orb-weaver spiders “have great potential for nerve and tissue repair.” In 2016, Radtke and her colleagues developed the technique. “'The nerve fibres use the silk fibres to grow along in order to reconnect with the other end of the nerve. The silk provides the cells with good adhesion, supports cell movement and encourages cell division.’”

The entire article can be found at "Spider Silk Properties Ideal for Nerve Repairs." You may also like to review "Web Weaving as a Dance."