Biomimetic polymers modeled after marine mussel adhesive
Abstract
Marine mussels attach themselves to rocks with a cross-linked, protein-based adhesive. A key component in these proteins is the rare 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) amino acid. We have shown that mussels use iron to cross-link their proteins, thereby curing the glue. Lately we have been making synthetic polymer mimics of mussel adhesive proteins. The parent polymer is poly(styrene- co-3,4-dihydroxystyrene),comprised of styrene and 3,4-dihydroxystyrene monomers that provide a pendant catechol group much like that of the DOPA side chain. This DOPA mimicking monomer is distributed randomly through the polystyrene backbone. Adhesion experiments show bonding comparable to commercial products such as the cyanoacrylate `'super glues.'' For second-generation biomimetic polymers we are incorporating polyethylene glycol (PEG) into catechol-containing adhesive polymers. Biocompatibility and minimal adhesion of proteins (fouling) are hallmarks of PEG. We have developed a synthetic route to poly(styrene- co-4-vilylbenzyl[methyltetra(ethylene glycol)]- co-3,4-dihydroxystyrene) terpolymers. Ongoing efforts are studying the influence of the PEG monomers upon adhesion. To date, we have obtained bulk adhesion data showing high strength bonding for PEG-containing copolymers.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Wilker, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Chemistry|Biochemistry|Polymer chemistry
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