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Related Concept Videos

Adhesion01:14

Adhesion

39.9K
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...
39.9K
Cell Adhesion in Plants01:14

Cell Adhesion in Plants

2.7K
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,...
2.7K
Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions01:20

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

6.7K
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...
6.7K
Adherens Junctions01:24

Adherens Junctions

4.7K
Strong contact points between adjacent cells anchor them to each other, forming tissues. Such anchoring junctions are of two types –  adherens junctions and desmosomes. Adherens junctions are abundant in tissues such as  epithelium and endothelium, forming a continuous zone of adhesion called the adhesion belt. In other tissues, such as  heart muscle, they appear as clusters, linking the cells to produce coordinated heart muscle contraction.
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
4.7K
Anchoring Junctions01:03

Anchoring Junctions

3.7K
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:...
3.7K
Tension Response at Adherens Junctions01:26

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

2.6K
The adherens junctions that anchor cells together are multi-protein complexes that dynamically adapt to mechanical stimuli such as tensile forces and shear stress. Mechanosensory proteins in these junctions can sense such mechanical stimuli and undergo a shift in their conformation, resulting in an altered function — a process called mechanotransduction.
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin...
2.6K

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Updated: Jun 21, 2025

TAPE: A Biodegradable Hemostatic Glue Inspired by a Ubiquitous Compound in Plants for Surgical Application
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TAPE: A Biodegradable Hemostatic Glue Inspired by a Ubiquitous Compound in Plants for Surgical Application

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Nature-inspired adhesive systems.

Ming Li1, Anran Mao2, Qingwen Guan3

  • 1Centre of Advanced Structural Ceramics, Department of Materials, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK. m.li19@imperial.ac.uk.

Chemical Society Reviews
|July 10, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Nature

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Area of Science:

  • Biomimetics
  • Materials Science
  • Surface Chemistry

Background:

  • Organisms utilize unique bio-adhesive surfaces for survival and reproduction.
  • Adhesion properties stem from micro/nanostructures and chemical compositions.
  • Understanding natural adhesion inspires artificial surface design.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review natural bio-adhesive surfaces and their mechanisms.
  • To explore advancements in both natural and artificial adhesive surfaces.
  • To highlight stimulus-responsive smart adhesive surfaces.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on bio-adhesion.
  • Analysis of surface micro/nanostructures and chemistry.
  • Examination of adhesion characterization techniques.

Main Results:

  • Overview of diverse natural adhesion mechanisms (dry and wet).
  • Principles for designing artificial adhesive surfaces.
  • Focus on stimulus-responsive and tunable adhesion.

Conclusions:

  • Bio-adhesion offers design principles for advanced artificial surfaces.
  • Stimulus-responsive materials represent a key frontier.
  • Further research needed to address current challenges and future prospects.