Two-sided mussel coating is adherent and repellent.(Medical Materials)

Advanced Materials & Processes,  September, 2003  

Tags: compound, glue, Northwestern University, protein

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A two-sided coating derived from ocean mussels, in which one side is adherent and the other repellent, is under development for medical implants at Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. The adherent side is a sticky glue based on adhesive proteins secreted by mussels, and is designed to attach to the surface of the implant.

The repellent side has been designed to prevent the buildup of cells and proteins that typically foul implant devices such as cardiac stents, urinary catheters, and dialysis tubing. According to Prof. Phillip B. Messersmith, "Our goal is to take ...

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