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Related Concept Videos

Adhesion01:14

Adhesion

Adhesion occurs when one type of molecule is attracted to a different molecule. Water exhibits adhesive properties in the presence of polar surfaces, such as glass or cellulose in plants. For instance, when water is poured into a glass, the positively charged hydrogen molecules of water are more attracted to the negatively charged oxygen molecules in the silica than to the oxygen in neighboring water molecules.
Capillary action is a result of water’s adhesive tendencies. When a narrow glass...
Cell Adhesion in Plants01:14

Cell Adhesion in Plants

Plants have rigid cell walls that are made up of cell wall polysaccharides that mediate cell-cell adhesion. The primary cell walls of plants consist of two independent and interacting polysaccharide networks: a pectin matrix that embeds the second network comprising cellulose and hemicelluloses.
Pectins are complex heteropolymers mainly composed of negatively-charged α-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid and some neutral glycosyl residues such as α-L-rhamnopyranose, α-L-arabinofuranose, and...
Anchoring Junctions01:03

Anchoring Junctions

Anchoring junctions are multiprotein complexes that help cells connect to other cells and the extracellular matrix. Anchoring junctions are present on the lateral and basal surfaces of cells, providing strong and flexible connections. Focal adhesions are often formed due to cell interactions with the ECM substrata, which initiate signal transduction via kinase cascades and other mechanisms. Together, they provide stability and tissue integrity. There are three types of anchoring junctions:...
Surface Appendages of Archaea01:23

Surface Appendages of Archaea

Archaeal surface appendages are highly specialized structures essential for environmental adaptation, encompassing roles in adhesion, biofilm formation, and motility. Among these appendages, pili and archaella stand out for their distinct morphologies and functionalities, enabling archaea to thrive in diverse and often extreme environments.Pili: Adhesion and Biofilm FormationPili are filamentous structures assembled from pilin protein subunits, primarily contributing to adhesion and biofilm...
Types of Membrane Protrusions01:28

Types of Membrane Protrusions

The protrusion of the cell surface is an initial step for several cellular processes, including cell migration, phagocytosis, and neurite outgrowth. These membrane protrusions are a result of cytoskeletal rearrangement. The most  widely observed cell protrusions include lamellipodia, pseudopodia, filopodia, microvilli, invadopodia, and podosomes. These protrusions can be of two types — static or dynamic.
The microvilli, an example of stable protrusions, are finger-like projections with a...
Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions01:20

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily  involved in a...

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Mussel-Inspired Adhesives and Coatings.

Bruce P Lee1, P B Messersmith, J N Israelachvili

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan 49931; bpl4@yahoo.com.

Annual Review of Materials Research
|November 8, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Mussels use Dopa-rich proteins for strong underwater adhesion. Mimicking this chemistry with synthetic catechols offers solutions for wet surface adhesives, especially in biomedicine.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Marine Biology
  • Adhesion Science

Background:

  • Mussels exhibit remarkable adhesion to surfaces in marine environments.
  • Their adhesion is rapid, strong, and tough, crucial for survival against wave action.
  • Water's properties (high dielectric constant, solvation) pose challenges for synthetic wet adhesion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize mussel adhesive strategies.
  • To mimic mussel adhesive chemistry for synthetic applications.
  • To develop adhesives for wet polar surfaces and biomedical uses.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated the adhesive proteins of mussels.
  • Focused on the role of Dopa (3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) in mussel adhesion.
  • Synthesized catechol-functionalized polymers.

Main Results:

  • Mussel adhesive proteins are rich in Dopa, a key catecholic functionality.
  • Synthetic polymers functionalized with catechols demonstrate adhesive properties.
  • These catechol-based materials show promise for wet adhesion.

Conclusions:

  • Mussel adhesive chemistry, particularly Dopa, provides a model for robust wet adhesion.
  • Synthetic catechol-based polymers offer versatile solutions for adhesion, sealing, coating, and anchoring in wet conditions.
  • This research has significant implications for developing advanced biomedical adhesives.