Atsuko Negishi
Postdoctoral Researcher
Atsuko is working towards developing mechanically tough fibers based on proteins of Hagfish slime threads. Under threatened conditions, Hagfish produce a unique slime that is re-enforced by a network of micron-sized threads. These thread fibers are of interest because their mechanical properties are comparable to existing high performance fibers both natural (e.g. spider silk) and synthetic (e.g kevlar). Protein-based fibers are attractive because they are environmentally sustainable, biologically-friendly and can offset the production of petroleum-based fibers. Recent efforts into developing a commercially-viable production of artificial spider silk has so far met with little success. The primary obstacle is the difficulty in replicating the native conditions in which spider silks are formed. However, hagfish slime threads form in the cytosol of gland thread cells in a self-assembled manner that may be replicated in vitro.
contact information:
Dept. of Integrative Biology
488 Gordan St.
University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1
Canada
tel. 519.824.4120 ex.58380