Bioengineers at Tufts University have created a new fusion protein that for the first time combines the toughness of spider silk with the intricate structure of silica. The resulting nanocomposite could be used in medical and industrial applications, such as growing bone tissue.
“This is a novel genetic engineering strategy to design and develop new ‘chimeric’ materials by combining two of nature’s most remarkable materials — spider silk and diatom glassy skeletons – that normally are not found together,” said David L. Kaplan…director of Tufts’ Bioengineering and Biotechnology Center.
Kaplan says this new chimeric protein could lead to a variety of biomedical materials that restore tissue structure and function, including bone repair and regeneration.
Aside from repair to catastrophic injuries, this research might offer remedies for ailments like osteoporosis — on the rise in an ever-aging population.
How much would you want to bet that these “scientists” will get greedy and hinder research by using their lawyers to stop anyone from developing this without paying them an obscene amount of money?
I agree that there is a good chance of substantial royalties, but this is the case with many many discoveries (though more likely a company will buy the rights from the university for a small amount, and THEN charge obsene royalties.)
On another note, I don’t understand why you put “scientists” in quotes. Is it because they may profit from this? Does that then make them non-scientists? Can one be a scientist AND financially solvent?
I am neither condemning nor condoning the practice, but make no mistake: science is business. If people didn’t stand to make a lot of money, there would be very little research conducted. There would be no scientific funding or grants. Only the few who are very dedicated would be researching for the sake of research. Though many researchers are intrigued by the aspect of discovery, they have to put food on the table like anyone else, and most can’t afford to conduct research on their own.
We all detest the horrible profits drug companies exploit through there monopoly. But, consider you have an opportunity to invest in this company. What would it take to motivate you to invest $10K in this idea, knowing that over 90% of such bio-tech ideas are total busts? Intestors who belly up to the bar for deals like this typically invest in hundreds of companies and expect their average return to be 25 to 18%.
The bottom line is that it is there “fat cats” investors, with deep pockets, that pay the wages of the brillant scientists who someday may let people with broken spines walk.
Jim
learn to understand the jargon:
When someone says that “a group of scientis have discovered something of value for humanity” it usually means “A group of corporate researchers have found a cash cow for a bunch of humans called shareholders.”
Why are you all so bothered about other people’s money? Just focus on the science, I mean, if you can understand it!