First Spider Genomes Get Sequenced

Genome sequences are all the rage in biology, as the molecular codes can tell us which properties make a species unique—and how alike all life really is at the genetic level.
In May, scientists in Denmark and China released the first genome sequences for spiders: a full one for the African social velvet spider (seen above) and a partial sequence for the Brazilian white-knee tarantula.

The results could aid understanding of spider venom, which is being used in drug design, and spider silk, which could yield stronger, more lightweight materials.