Nature-inspired adhesives

In nature, certain animals produce highly effective adhesives in a variety of environments. Some of these adhesives surpass conventional man-made products: they can be reversible and/or effective underwater and on materials of varying composition and structure. The adhesion of the glue produced by certain arthropods such as marine barnacles appears to be linked to the self-assembly of secreted proteins. These natural adhesives could be exploited through a biomimetic approach for the development of non-toxic glues or coatings that are efficient in water or in a wet conditions.

We are studying self-assemblies made up of biomimetic adhesive proteins to understand protein-surface interactions.

To do this, we produce recombinant proteins inspired by natural adhesive proteins found in barnacle adhesive cement. We study their adsorption and self-assembly on different types of surfaces using fluorescence spectroscopy, FTIR, AFM, SPRi and ELISA techniques. The mechanical properties (viscosity and adhesion) of the protein networks resulting from these self-assemblies are characterised in collaboration with the SIMM laboratory (Sorbonne University). For potential applications in the medical field, we are conducting tests in collaboration with the ERRMECe laboratory (CY Cergy Paris University) to assess the biocompatibility of these protein architectures.

The knowledge gained from this project could inspire marine anti-fouling strategies and, eventually, the development of innovative, non-toxic adhesives and surface treatments for materials.