Mussels Produce Sticky Glue-like Collagen

Function

Mussels are able to create strongly adhesive materials in the water where it is difficult to maintain adhesion. Mussels excrete viscous protein into the water, forming “byssus threads” which they use to adhere themselves to nearby surfaces via attachment disks (forms akin to the suckers of cuttlefish.) Mussels form a new thread as soon as the first is completed, and repeat the process every couple minutes. They generate around 100 threads in 2 days, enabling the mussels to firmly connect to the external surface.

Functional Classification

Defense/Stability:
AbsorptionAdhesion

Environmental Solution Classification

Related Literature

Okamoto T. Recent Progress in the Chemistry of Adhesive Proteins. Lab. of Natural High Polymers, Dept. of Agricultural Chemistry. Kinki University. 1992;25:61-68.

Technical Application

Products and Services

Type of Business

Proposals of Applied Technology

Mussels’ ability to create adhesive threads can be utilized to the development of new adhesive (materials) used in water and nontoxic adhesive (materials) used in operations such as corneal surgeries and dental implant treatments.

Proposals of Applied Industry

Related Life Style