Blue mussels spend their days being buffeted by crashing waves and currents, remaining tethered to the rocks - or their fellow mussels - thanks to the highly effective underwater glue which they produce.
Given that achieving adhesion in the presence of water is so challenging, scientists who are interested in producing effective adhesives for use in wet environments – such as within the body, for surgical or dental purposes – have turned to nature for inspiration.
In a new Science paper, a McGill-led team reports that, after a decade of work in the area, it has uncovered the cellular mechanisms by which mussels fabricate underwater adhesives.
“The specific mechanism by which mussels produce their adhesive has been shrouded in mystery until now because everything occurs hidden from view inside the mussel foot,” said Tobias Priemel, a PhD candidate. “To understand the mechanisms involved we applied advanced spectroscopic and microscopic techniques and developed...