Harnessing the superpowers of silk

This episode of Science Friday explores the extraordinary properties of spider and silkworm silk, inspired by a listener’s whimsical question about becoming a real-life Spider-Man. Host Flora Lichtman welcomes Dr. Cheryl Hayashi, a spider silk biologist, who explains how spiders produce multiple types of silk with specialized functions—ranging from strong structural threads to sticky, stretchy capture spirals—and even use silk for underwater breathing and aerial 'ballooning.' The conversation shifts to biomedical applications, where Dr. Fiorenzo Omaneto of Tufts University’s Silk Lab reveals how silkworm silk can preserve biological materials like blood and enzymes for months without refrigeration, enabling revolutionary uses in biosensors, medical implants, and even wearable tech. The episode highlights how ancient natural materials are being reimagined for futuristic science, blending wonder with real-world innovation.