Spiderman is known for using his web to stick to ceilings and swing from one building to another while fighting crime

Spider silk is stronger than steel in weight-for-weight terms, but researchers have failed to find a way to reproduce enough for commercial production - until now.

A group of scientists from the University of Wyoming, led by Professor Don Jarvis, have genetically modified the silkworm to spin silk with spider protein.

Silkworms are used in farms around the world to create silk

In their report, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences magazine, they said there were "serious problems" with naturally manufacturing the spider protein because the arachnids do not produce enough material on their own and have a tendancy to eat each other.

The researchers added that while silkworms are much easier to farm and produce copious amounts of silk, the material is often weak.

So they worked out a way to transfer the key spider genes responsible for the strong threadmaking into the silkworm.

The scientific breakthrough could open the door for large-scale production.

The silk could be used in many medical applications including artificial ligaments and tendons, as well as tough wound dressings.

It is also said to be strong enough that it coud be used as a new material in manufacturing bulletproof vests.