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A pioneer in the the field of silk protein research for over a decade
Lindsay Wray, a pioneer in the field of silk protein research for over a decade.
Education
With a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Tufts University, Lindsay Wray worked in the world’s preeminent lab on silk materials research. She studied silk for medical applications such as tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. During this time, she realized how potent silk protein could be – attributable to its unique molecular structure and biocompatibility. She knew silk proteins could fill a much needed gap in material innovation for better skin health.
The major issue Lindsay continued to run into was the availability of pure, unbroken silk protein. Until 2018, the only way to obtain silk protein was through a process called hydrolysis which involves degrading silkworm cocoons. Aside from the animal cruelty aspect of this process, hydrolysis also degrades the protein structure of native silk. This also negatively impacts its efficacy.
Bolt Threads x Eighteen B
In 2014, Lindsay joined Bolt Threads, a materials innovation company. With a vision of better materials for a better world. Bolt Threads uses cutting-edge technology and biology to develop new materials that raise the bar for sustainability. In her role leading the Materials Research Department at Bolt Threads, she was responsible for bringing B-SILK™ PROTEIN to life through a patented fermentation process using nothing more than yeast, water, sugar and salt.
Mimicking the amino acid structure of spider silk, Lindsay Wray and her team of material scientists effectively bioengineered a new form of silk protein. We call it B-SILK PROTEIN. It more complete in structure than any other hydrolyzed silk protein currently available, and it is made sustainably and scalably, using clean inputs.
Her vision is to build a new kind of skincare company with materials innovation as the driving force.
Lindsay Wray’s Awards
In November 2019, Elle Magazine recognized Lindsay’s efforts. She was awarded “Elle Magazine, Future of Beauty” winner for her work developing B-SILK PROTEIN.
