The silkworm (Bombyx mori) and related species are among the oldest pets of mankind. The fascinating ability of these insects to spin a thread hundreds of metres long has been used for around 5,000 years. This thread is spun into a cocoon in whose protective shell the caterpillar can pupate undisturbed. Obtained by humans, the fine threads form the basis of fine fabrics and garments. However, in recent years, other properties of silk have come into focus. It is used in Medicine to cover wounds or close surgical incisions. "Silk has enormous potential for a wide range of other applications," says Philipp Seib, Professor of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy at Friedrich Schiller University since 2023. ...
