The humble mussel may be paving the way to suture and screw free wound treatments.
A synthetic version of a high strength adhesive produced by mussels has been shown to be non-toxic to living cells suggesting it might be suitable for surgical and other biomedical applications.
“One long-term goal is to potentially replace sutures and screws owing to the trauma caused from punching holes into healthy tissue," said Jonathan Wilker a professor of chemistry and materials engineering who helped lead a research team that developed the polymer at Purdue University in Indiana.
In new findings, researchers have shown the polymer, poly[(3,4-dihydroxystyrene)-co-styrene>[/embedp>
The polymer, which the researchers have named catechol-polystyrene, is designed after a natural protein that mussels produce for sticking to surfaces. The animals extend hair-like fibers that connect to surfaces with a natural adhesive. A synthetic polymer is needed because the natural proteins are not practical for industrial applications.
“We designed this polymer to be a mimic of the natural proteins,” Wilker said. “It can be stronger than Super Glue under some conditions. You can also get the polymer to set completely underwater, which is not too common for most adhesives.”