The Successful Activation of the Marker DNA in Silkworms is seen as a Key Indication that the Company’s Genetic Transfers are Working as Chromosomal Insertions as Planned. Congratulations to Dr. Malcolm Fraser, Dr. Fanghai Wang, Dr. Bong-Hee Sohn and the Notre Dame Research Team.
EAST LANSING, Mich., January 20, 2009 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) –Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (OTCBB: KBLB) is very pleased to announce that the scientific team has succeeded in achieving the activation of fluorescent marker gene sequences which the researchers incorporated into spider silk DNA packets. The researchers successfully inserted the DNA packets into silkworms, which are now visibly exhibiting florescence.
“The fact that we are now seeing fluorescence in the modified silkworms establishes that the DNA insertion packets are working and that we have succeeded in obtaining chromosomal insertion and expression,” said CEO Kim K. Thompson. “In other words, not only are the DNA packets incorporating themselves into the silkworm chromosome as expected, the silkworms are actually producing the fluorescent proteins as they are instructed to do by the genetic coding in the spider silk insertion packets.”
The DNA packets contain the genetic instructions for the production of new spider silk based fibers and textiles. The florescent marker sequences which are included in the packets essentially instruct the silkworm to produce florescent proteins. When a silkworm produces florescent proteins the scientists know that they have succeeded in altering its DNA, because in nature, silkworms do not produce florescent proteins. The research team’s successful production of exogenous proteins in silkworm is a huge step forward for Kraig Labs. The fact that these proteins are markers establishes that the DNA packets, which include spider silk gene sequences, have been successfully transferred. “The atmosphere here is one of tremendous excitement,” said Thompson.
“Another generation will be required in order to test whether we have achieved a germ line stable transgenic,” continued Mr. Thompson. The team will be able to test the next generation for the florescent makers within the ten days. From then on, we should have a new generation of silkworms ready for testing at regular intervals of approximately fourteen days. This is a dramatic shift forward in the Company’s spider silk and high performance polymer development program.
For more information on Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, and to hear an audio interview with Kraig’s CEO, please visit the Company’s web site: www.KraigLabs.com
Statements in this press release about the company’s future and expectations other than historical facts are “forward-looking statements.” These statements are made on the basis of management’s current views and assumptions. As a result, there can be no assurance that management’s expectations will necessarily come to pass. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “foresees,” “hopes,” “develops”, “researching,” “research,” “potential,” “could” or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements in this release that describe the Company’s business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals should all be considered forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Management cautions that its ability to further its research, and create commercially-viable products may be affected by the competitive environment, the Company’s financial condition and its ability to raise sufficient capital to meet the financial obligations of its business plan and to fund its continuing operations.
CONTACT: Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc.
Kim K. Thompson, CEO
(517) 336-0807
info@KraigLabs.com