Functional Materials that Mimic Marine Fouling Organisms

Abstract

Blue mussels are typical marine fouling organisms which occasionally form clumps or aggregates on rocks, marine structures and ship's hulls. When the blue mussel attaches itself to these structures adhesive proteins known as “byssus” are secreted. The blue mussel can then achieve robust adhesive ability through insolubilization of the byssus. The byssus consists of L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) generated by post-translational modification of tyrosine. The DOPA plays crucial role in its adhesive mechanism. Recently, the adhesion mechanism has been taken up as a prominent model for aqueous adhesives. The present paper gives a comprehensive overview of the adhesive mechanism of the blue mussel along with state-of-the-art examples of blue mussel-inspired aqueous paints or adhesives.