Using mussel adhesive proteins, a natural resource, a more advanced bioadhesive has been developed. Professor Cha Hyung Joon of the Department of Chemical Engineering reported the achievement in Biomaterials. The article will be published in Volume 31, Issue 13, May 2010 under the title ‘The adhesive properties of coacervated recombinant hybrid mussel adhesive proteins.’ Researchers already patented the bioadhesive domestically, and are preparing to apply for an international patent.

Mussels, which maintain their position on boulders, secrete adhesive proteins, but no one could reveal how the mechanism worked. However, Prof. Cha showed mussels secrete adhesive proteins in the form of threads, whose edges are a water-proofing plaque. It had been pointed out that mussel adhesive proteins were too expensive and difficult to gain. His lab solved the problem by a synthesizing fusion with Arginine-glycine-aspartic acid in 2007. Ultimately, researchers developed an advanced version of hybrid proteins which works through tiny vessels and surpasses previous versions in adhesive property.

Coacervated proteins, an advanced version of hybridization, are composed of recombinant mussel adhesive proteins and hyaluronic acid. They hardly mix with water, and have little surface tension and so are more useful. Also, their suitability as bioadhesives is good and can even be used in the human body. Prof. Cha accordingly said, “Current research suggested the secretion mechanism of mussel adhesive proteins and the development of colloidal bioadhesives as their application. It suggests the possibility of developing various bioadhesive materials.”