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Nature's Super Glue Sunday, October 22, 2006 - Iddo Genuth & Lucille Fresco-Cohen Home >> Articles >> Biology   
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Researchers from the Indiana University at Bloomington and Brown University have discovered what could be nature's strongest "super glue", with a myriad of applications ranging from emergency wound-healing to mending damaged vessels at sea.
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How does an aquatic bacterium that colonizes streams, rivers, and water pipes resist being swept away by a forceful current or running tap water? The answer lies in a bacterially-produced, secreted substance, consisting of polysaccharides (long chains of sugar molecules) along with other unidentified sticky molecules, on the "holdfast" at the tip of its long, slender, stalk-like appendage, with which it affixes itself to solid surfaces.
This natural, non-toxic glue, which can be found in small quantities in drinking water, has the strongest adhesion force of any known natural material. Unlike commercial super glues, which are often toxic, it sticks well under water, even salt water, and, thus, has a wide range of potential applications, from biodegradable surgical or dental adhesives to repairing industrial surfaces that suffer rain or sea exposure.
Interview with professor Yves BrunTFOT spoke to Professor Brun of Indiana University about his research findings: Q: Were you the first to discover the adhesive qualities of C. crescentus, and if not, what did your research add to our knowledge of the bacterium? A: No, in the sense that it was known that this bacterium sticks to surfaces like other bacteria. But it is the amazing strength that makes it possible to think about all the applications. If it had been typical of other bacteria (~100X-less strong), then it would simply add information about Caulobacter's properties, but that would have been the end of the story. Q: Will it be possible to mass produce the bacterium, and how do you intend to solve the problems related to the material sticking to all the labware? Q: Is there a way to remove the glue? A: As we describe in the PNAS article, the enzyme lysozyme greatly reduces the force of the glue. Lysozyme should not be toxic to humans since it is produced in tears and saliva.
A: Well, maybe if I could predict the future! There are still many steps from the initial concept / discovery, and if we are lucky enough that everything works the first time, we could have a product within a couple of years. (But then, how often does everything work the first time?) When asked by TFOT, Professor Brun confirmed that he had been approached by companies regarding this research. Time will tell whether we'll be using natural, non-toxic, waterproof super glue from bacteria to repair broken tea cups. |
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| That was so awsome | |||
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| it is | |||
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That is SO cool! I wonder when companies will use it, instead of the toxic glue they use today. |
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| what is the component in that glue? how does the bacteria secrete it? | |||
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Hi there, what a great job you've done! Anyway, if the glue can be used for surgical needs, why do our immune system "be friend" with that glue? shouldn't it be attacked by the immune system? |
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I'm just going from A level Biology here, but hopefully I've got this straight. If not, I'd be grateful if somebody could correct me. The immune system works by responding to antigens of pathogens (Google should give definitions- the length limit looms). I'm not sure exactly how the immune system recognises antigens as being from pathogens, but in any case, since the glue isn't a pathogen, it shouldn't produce an immune response. Of course, it's probably still possible to be allergic to it. Put very simply, since the glue isn't doing any harm, the immune system shouldn't do anything to it. I hope that this helps, and that my limited understanding of the subject hasn't made more biologically savvy people cringe too much. ^^; |
