MIT Researchers Developed Waterproof Adhesive by Mussels Protein

No doubt, the world of animals seems to be the steady source of motivation for the researchers, who are working to develops new substances. For example, with the capability of geckos to move on a vertical surface have astonished people for decades. However, the scientists might at some point make wonder substances by finding out the method at the base of geckos ‘super power’.

Thus far, the researchers have dealt with the development of an adhesive solution stimulated by shellfish. Furthermore, it has been observed that the recent material developed by the MIT researchers is remarkable PR material for bacteria.

The shellfish grasp anything they find undersea, to soothe themselves. In order to acclimatize the circumstances, the shellfish produced a strong adhesive material which is extremely effectual in contact with water. Therefore, the naval industry is also in search of such material that helps them to construct and mend the ships underwater.

The MIT researchers have successfully worked with the bacteria along with the sticky-mussel protein which resulted in a production of substance having even stronger adhesive properties than the naturally produced by shellfish.

In fact, this is not believed to be the first time when researchers reproduced such material form shellfish. The researchers claimed that the mussel foot bacterium lies at the base of substance. Thus, E.Coli bacteria have been used to duplicate the foot proteins individually. Though, the resulted material was unacceptable.

Chao Zhong, a former MIT postdoc, had recently attempted to create the two distinct mussel foot proteins known as 3 & 5. Another type of bacterial proteins known as Curli fibers later bonded with the mussel foot protein in order to develop a new strong adhesive material. The end result was obtained when the bacteria has been disposed of. The developed material best works on the dry and wet surfaces.

The researchers further tested the developed material by using atomic force microscopy and find out that the adhesive best sticks to the gold, silica and polystyrene. They further stated that the equal proportions of both mussel foot proteins 3 and 5 gives out the best results and believed to be the strongest adhesive till now.