Mussel-inspired 'glue' for surgical repair and cancer drug delivery
Monday, February 18, 2013 - 13:30
in Physics & Chemistry
When it comes to sticking power under wet conditions, marine mussels are hard to beat. Scientists have created new materials that mimic mussel adhesive proteins for three medical applications: sealants for fetal membrane repair, self-setting antibacterial hydrogels, and polymers for cancer drug delivery and thermal destruction of cancer cells. All of these materials contain a synthetic form of the catecholic amino acid DOPA (dihydroxyphenylalanine), one of the keys to mussels' sticking power.