image: These are degummed silk fibers. Silk fibers are unreeled from the cocoon and boiled to remove the “gum” (sericin) that holds the fibers together and aids in the formation of the cocoon. This image relates to an article that appeared in the July 30, 2010, issue of Science, published by AAAS. The study, by Dr. Fiorenzo Omenetto of Tufts University in Medford, Mass., and colleagues is titled, "New Opportunities for an Ancient Material." view more
Credit: Image courtesy of Fiorenzo Omenetto