[an error occurred while processing this directive] BBC News
watch One-Minute World News Last Updated: Wednesday, 13 June
2007, 16:09 GMT 17:09 UK Spider silk's 'DNA breakthrough' By
Neil Bowdler BBC News  US scientists have identified the genes
behind silk spun by the black widow spider, which they say could
help make super-strong body armour.  The University of
California biologists also hope to produce other materials based
on the silk's structure.  Black widow spiders' silk apparently
has a tensile strength about half of that of steel but is much
less dense and much more stretchable.  The black widow spider is
among the most venomous spiders in North America.  Hanging
around  Researchers at the University of California identified
the genetic recipe behind the black widow spider's silk, mapping
its DNA.  With that genetic code, they plan to synthesise the
so-called "dragline" silk - which is apparently one of the
strongest in the spider kingdom.  The university's Dr Nadia
Ayoub says the commercial applicat