MSTF ASU June 17

On the second day, we met at the lab. We started to cover background information concerning molecular structure of spider dragline. We covered the molecular structure/protein/anatomy of a spiders' silk glands, ducting, and spineretts. Most was the structure of dragline silk gland proteins and molecular structural changes that occur from the gland down through the duct, solubility verses dehydration, which ended in molecular beta sheeting in the duct. The spineretts were another issue which will be be tackeled by the molecular biologist and enginereers in the different research group in another location. I did not understand all that was discussed, but I did follow the general knowledge of the chemistry content. We are running into problems of how to meaningfully bring this research to the high school classroom. This problem will be worked out in the next few weeks. All the high school teachers were highly engaged with many questions. I'm still amazed at the down to earth attitude of Dr. Yarger. A point of interest or misconception that affected me was the decentralization of reasearch which apparently is far more practical , efficient, and effective. It was a highly enlightening and interesting morning!