Sandcastle worms build intertidal, reef-like colonies by gluing together sand grains with an undersea bioadhesive. The macromolecular components of the adhesive include at least 4 polybasic proteins, a set of polyacidic phosphoproteins, and polyacidic sulfated polysaccharides. The adhesive also contains Mg2+, Ca2+, and transition metals. The components are packaged and stored in the adhesive gland as pairs of oppositely charged macromolecules electrostatically condensed in distinct secretory granules. During application, the granules are ruptured and the contents mixed by paddle-ended cilia. The adhesive sets, triggered by a pH change, into a solid/liquid foam within 30 s after secretion, then is covalently cured by a co-secreted catechol oxidase enzyme through crosslinking of catechol sidechains. The natural adhesive inspired the development of synthetic underwater adhesives based on associative phase separation of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes�complex coacervation. Progress in development of adhesive complex coacervates for tissue fixation will be reported.

Synthetic water-borne underwater adhesives inspired by marine sandcastle worms and their use in deep tissue fixation

245th National Meeting (2013)

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