Unlocking the secret strength of marine mussels

Discovery may lead to medical advances in bio-implants, wearable sensors, and more

2023-12-01

(Press-News.org) How do you create strong, yet quick-release connections between living and non-living tissues? This is a question that continues to puzzle bioengineers who aim to create materials that bond together for advanced biomedical applications.

Looking to nature for inspiration, the McGill-led research zeroed in on the marine mussel byssus, a fibrous holdfast, which these bivalve mollusks use to anchor themselves in seashore habitats. The byssus attaches to rocky surfaces using an underwater glue, but the other end (the byssus stem root) is firmly anchored within the mussel’s soft living tissue. This area of contact between the living tissue and the non-living byssus stem root is known as a biointerface, and is the focus of a study by McGill professor of Chemistry Matthew Harrington.

“Up to this point, it was baffling how the byssus stem root biointerface could be strong enough to resist constant crashing waves but also be suddenly released by the mussel upon demand,” said Harrington. “It seemed as if the mussel could somehow control its strength.”

Surprisingly strong, yet releasable Following a cross-disciplinary investigation, the team found that the stem root separates into approximately 40-50 sheets known as lamellae that interlock with the living tissue, creating an incredibly strong interface much like interleaving two phone books together.

“The biggest surprise is how this strength can be lowered through the beating movements of billions of tiny hair-like cilia on the surface of the living tissue. Cilia movement is under the control of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, enabling the quick release of the whole stem root on demand.” says Harrington who holds the Canada Research Chair in Green Chemistry

Here's how a mussel's "beard" helps it hang tight and let loose

This finding is particularly relevant for biomedical engineers and materials scientists as they look towards the future of bio-implants, wearable sensors, brain-computer interface design, and more.

“The stem root biointerface is unlike anything seen in human-made materials and could offer important inspiration for the next generation of biointerfaces,” said Harrington. “Since further medical advances will depend on novel biointerface design, these findings could have impact on human health in the future.”

About the study A strong quick-release biointerface in mussels mediated by serotonergic cilia-based adhesion by Matthew Harrington et al., was published in Science.

END

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

When physics meets biology: prion protein orchestrates liquid-liquid phase separation with copper

2023-12-01

In a groundbreaking study published in Science Advances, researchers from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE-Berlin) shed light on the intricate dance between the prion protein and copper ions in the physiopathology of live cells. The research paves the way for potential treatments addressing copper-bound prion protein clusters to prevent abnormal solid formation and mitigate neurodegenerative outcomes. Like oil droplets in water, cells harbor membrane-bound organelles that ...

Eminent scientists say a child-centric approach is the blueprint to improve communities

2023-12-01

Communities can prosper by providing attentive education and social services to their youngest residents — but the challenge is for leaders to work together. That is the message of Craig Ramey and Sharon Ramey, Virginia Tech distinguished research professors of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, who today (Dec. 1, 2023) presented details of a decades-long study that focuses on early childhood education and development. In a research article in the journal Medical Research Archives, the official journal of the European Society of Medicine, the scientists discuss lessons ...

Adverse childhood experiences linked to muscle dysmorphia

2023-12-01

Toronto, ON – A new study published in Clinical Social Work Journal found that adolescents and young adults who experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) before the age of 18 were significantly more likely to experience symptoms of muscle dysmorphia. With previous research showing that more than half of North American children and adolescents experience at least one adverse childhood experience in their lifetime, these new findings highlight the need for greater awareness of how adverse experiences in childhood (such as domestic violence, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse) and muscle dysmorphia (the pathological ...

New health problems emerge after COVID-19 for those who lack quality housing, health care

2023-12-01

New research from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health suggests that those who live with ongoing poverty and poor housing conditions are more likely to develop new mobility issues following a COVID-19 infection. This study, published in Preventive Medicine, is the first to examine the relationship between social vulnerability and persistent COVID-19 symptoms. In it, researchers analyzed data about socially vulnerable Michigan residents who experienced new difficulty in walking or climbing stairs after ...

Two leading standards bodies launch Neuroscience Community, powering a global data network that will speed up answers in autism, Parkinson’s, addiction, and more

2023-12-01

The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) and the International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility (INCF) launched a new group to lay the groundwork for connecting global neuroscience and genomic data. Answering data-driven questions in neuroscience means dealing with complexity: in types of data, data management systems, the number and variety of conditions, ethical and legal requirements, and the genetic and biological conditions themselves. Even just aligning industry standards for neuroimaging and genomics can be a struggle. To improve life for people with neurological conditions, we need to tackle the complexity together. The new GA4GH & INCF Neuroscience ...

Novel screening tool and recovery program may help reduce mental health problems after trauma

2023-12-01

Key takeaways A new mental health screening tool accurately predicts mental health outcomes for hospitalized trauma patients. To be sustainable, mental health screening and recovery programs should be tailored to each trauma center, with the engagement of all stakeholders, a related study finds. Studies shed light on the need for trauma centers to provide injured patients with mental health resources, such as online education, support, and referrals to mental healthcare providers when needed. CHICAGO (December 1, 2023): A novel screening ...

Black men with advanced prostate cancer less likely to receive crucial treatment, study finds

2023-12-01

A new study led by investigators at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found Black men diagnosed with more advanced stages of prostate cancer are significantly less likely to be prescribed novel hormone therapy than other racial and ethnic groups – including white or Latino men – despite the therapy being proven to effectively control the growth of prostate tumors and extend the lives of men with the disease. The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, reveal a concerning racial disparity in the utilization of the crucial therapy for the treatment of the disease. “This revelation is particularly concerning ...

Trends in adult smoking prevalence

2023-12-01

About The Study: This analysis of survey data from 353,000 U.S. adults found that smoking prevalence decreased from 2011 to 2022 in all age groups except adults 65 years or older, with faster decreases among younger than older adults. These findings suggest that the greatest gains in terms of reducing smoking-attributable morbidity and mortality could be achieved by focusing on individuals with low socioeconomic status, as this population has the highest smoking rates and the worst health prospects. Authors: Rafael ...

Racial and ethnic disparities in use of recommended therapies for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, 1999-2020

2023-12-01

About The Study: In this study of 5,218 adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, significant disparities persisted between current care and optimal care, surpassing any differences observed among demographic groups. These findings highlight the critical need for sustained efforts to bridge these gaps and achieve better outcomes for all patients, regardless of their racial and ethnic backgrounds. Authors: Harlan M. Krumholz, M.D., S.M., of Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut, is the corresponding author. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/ (doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.45964) Editor’s ...

Researchers caution diabetes patients’ use of fitness video games

2023-12-01

The authors of a new study are warning people with type-1 diabetes to use fitness video games with caution. The study by Staffordshire University and Federal University of Vale do Sao Francisco has found that ‘exergames’ can change people’s perceptions of how fatigued they are – which is potentially harmful for those with the condition. Dr Pooya Soltani, Senior Lecturer in Games Technology at Staffordshire University, explained: “Type-1 diabetes patients need to control their blood glucose regularly, both before and after exercise, to prevent complications. As part of this, it is important to regulate the intensity of exercise, ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Development of a novel modified selective medium cefixime–tellurite-phosphate-xylose-rhamnose MacConkey agar for isolation of Escherichia albertii and its evaluation with food samples

KIST develops full-color-emitting upconversion nanoparticle technology for color displays with ultra-high color reproducibility

Crystal L. Mackall, MD, FAACR, recognized with the 2025 AACR-Cancer Research Institute Lloyd J. Old Award in Cancer Immunology

A novel strategy for detecting trace-level nanoplastics in aquatic environments: Multi-feature machine learning-enhanced SERS quantification leveraging the coffee ring effect