Shrimp and silk in combination are usually thought of in the most elegant of settings. However, researchers at Harvard University's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering have developed a process that layers two common polymers together: fibroin, a silk protein obtained from the domestic silkworm, and chitin, which is derived from shrimp cells. When combined, the composite becomes "shrilk". According to the researchers, no chemical process is involved in the layering and the end result is fully biodegradable. It also imparts mechanical strength and durability. Potential uses might include surgical sutures, gauzes or as a scaffold for tissue implants where it provides initial support. It can also be moulded into various complex shapes. The plan is to replace synthetic plastics in plastic ware, says one of the shrilk developers. So the next time you are eating shrimp, or you come across a silkworm, remember to show a little respect for these diminutive arthropods...who knows, they might save your life one day!