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Scientists create ‘superlens’ with spider silk
Golden web spider
Golden web spiders are widespread in warmer regions throughout the world.

Lens used to view previously ‘invisible’ structures

Scientists have used spider silk to create a ‘superlens’ that enhances the power of a microscope by as much as three times.

Writing in the journal Nano Letters, scientists from Bangor and Oxford universities explain how they used a cylindrical piece of spider silk from the golden web spider as a lens.

They say the lens could be used to see 'invisible’ structures, including some germs and viruses.


Physical laws of light make it impossible to view objects smaller than 200nm – the smallest size of bacteria – using a normal microscope alone.

Bangor University explained that extending the limit of the classical microscope’s resolution has been the ‘holy grail’ of microscopy for over a century.

While the scientists have engineered a man-made material to break the perceived resolution barrier, it is the first time they have used a naturally occurring biological material in this way.

Professor Fritz Vollrath of the University of Oxford described the discovery as ‘very exciting’.

The cylindrical silk works in much the same way as looking through a glass or bottle. The clearest image only runs along the narrow strip directly opposite the viewer’s line of vision or resting on the surface being viewed.

Dr Zengbo Wang, who led the study, explained: "The cylindrical silk lens has advantages in the larger field-of-view when compared to a microsphere superlens.

“Importantly for potential commercial applications, a spider-silk nanoscope would be robust and economical, which in turn could provide excellent manufacturing platforms for a wide range of applications."

Golden web spiders - also known as Banana spiders - are widespread in warmer regions throughout the world. Black and yellow in colour, the creatures are famed for their brightly coloured, intricate webs. 

Image (C) CharlesJSharp/Wikimedia Commons

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.