Authors:
Russell J. Stewart, Hui Shao, and Betsy J. Endrizzi
Summary:
Phragmatopoma californica is a marine worm that glues broken bits of seashells and sand grains into a protective tubular shell with dabs of glue. The glue is a flowable colloidal solution of oppositely charged proteins and divalent cations which hardens into a solid foam after secretion. Analogs of the glue proteins were synthesized as polyacrylates with phosphate, primary amine, and catechol sidechains in similar molar ratios as the natural glue protein sidechain ratios. Aqueous mixtures of the mimetic polyelectrolytes demonstrated pH dependent phase behavior, condensing into liquid complex coacervates within a narrow range of net charge ratios. Wet cortical bone bonded with the adhesive complex coacervates, covalently crosslinked through the catechol sidechains, had wet bond strengths nearly 40% of the strength of wet cyanoacrylate bonds. The unique material properties of complex coacervates are ideal for developing clinically useful water-borne underwater adhesives and other biomaterials.
Source:
New Structure, Properties, and Applications of Food Relevant Biopolymers; 1:30 PM-4:30 PM, Monday, August 17, 2009 Renaissance Washington -- Room 3, Oral