Keywords
Mussel, tissue, adhesive, biomimetic, polymer
Presentation Type
Event
Research Abstract
Injuries involving damaged tissues are currently repaired through an invasive technique involving the use of screws, plates and sutures as support, which can damage these tissues. The biomedical field currently lacks an adhesive that can replace harmful implants. A surgical adhesive can provide a quick and easy alternative, which will minimize the risk of damaging healthy tissue in surgery. Inspiration for such materials can be found by looking at marine mussels as they are able to stick to nearly any surface, even in wet environments. Marine mussels affix themselves to different surfaces using adhesive plaques consisting of various proteins. Polymer mimics of the mussel adhesive have been developed. Current work focuses on the use of a biomimetic polymer as a surgical adhesive.
Session Track
Bio- and Biomimetic Materials
Recommended Citation
Jenna DeSousa, Cori Jenkins, and Jonathan Wilker,
"Surgical Adhesive from Mussel Mimetic Polymer"
(August 7, 2014).
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium.
Paper 4.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/surf/2014/presentations/4
Included in
Biology and Biomimetic Materials Commons, Materials Chemistry Commons, Polymer Chemistry Commons
Surgical Adhesive from Mussel Mimetic Polymer
Injuries involving damaged tissues are currently repaired through an invasive technique involving the use of screws, plates and sutures as support, which can damage these tissues. The biomedical field currently lacks an adhesive that can replace harmful implants. A surgical adhesive can provide a quick and easy alternative, which will minimize the risk of damaging healthy tissue in surgery. Inspiration for such materials can be found by looking at marine mussels as they are able to stick to nearly any surface, even in wet environments. Marine mussels affix themselves to different surfaces using adhesive plaques consisting of various proteins. Polymer mimics of the mussel adhesive have been developed. Current work focuses on the use of a biomimetic polymer as a surgical adhesive.