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Sci Tech
Aquatic Mussels and improved adhesives
NEW INSIGHTS into how the aquatic mussels bind tightly to rocks and all other surfaces could lead to surgical applications and improved adhesives, according to a news release issued by American Chemical Society.
Jonathan Wilker, assistant professor of chemistry at Purdue University, presented his research on the mechanisms behind how ocean mussels bind so tightly to rocks and ship hulls at the meeting conducted at the Great Lakes Regional meeting of the American Chemical Society.
The research could lead to the development of adhesives far more powerful than those available today. Another potential application of the work is the design of surgical adhesives that could replace the tissue-damaging sutures currently used in surgery.
The mussels' adhesives are made up of soluble proteins that cross-link to form a hardened matrix. His team has preliminary results indicating that metals such as iron are vital to this matrix, representing the first time transition metals have been shown to be essential for the synthesis of a biological material.
Wilker now hopes to build on and improve the mussels' natural design. It could also lead to antifouling coatings for ship hulls.
Current antifouling agents are based on copper or tin-based agents that diffuse from the hull's paint into the surrounding water, killing the organisms.
"We're hoping that, once we understand the chemistry of biological adhesion, we can prevent it — without having to kill everything in the water," said Wilker. "I think we'll be able to come up with some really neat materials by combining what we learn from the mussels with basic knowledge of synthetic adhesives and polymers."
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