Caddisfly silk gene evolves quickly without losing adhesive power

Caddisflies are among nature's master underwater builders, capable of spinning sticky silk that they use to form protective cases and webs in freshwater streams.

Scientists like the University of Utah's Russell Stewart have long studied this bioadhesive material in the hope of using it as a chemical model for creating a synthetic version for use in the human body in medical applications.

Now the genetics of caddisflies' evolutionary superpower is coming into focus, providing science with new clues for developing bioadhesives. ...