A Novel Bio-Adhesive for Wet Surfaces from Vibrio Cholerae

Effective adhesion of surfaces in a wet environment is very useful for the biomedical and engineering fields (wearable electronics, suture-less seals, underwater pipeline repair, etc.). However, underwater adhesion has remained a significant challenge. Water prevents effective molecular contact between the adhesive and the substrate, a key step, and prolonged exposure to the aqueous environment deteriorates the adhesive, leading to cohesive failure. Currently, research efforts are taking inspiration from mussels and bacteria, creatures that overcome these challenges and can strongly adhere to underwater surfaces.<br/>We recently discovered that a sequence of 57-amino acids (57-aa) in <i>Vibrio cholerae</i> biofilms is the primary contributor to their adherence to a variety of surfaces, both biotic and abiotic, such as glass, plastic, and lipid membranes. We have developed several biochemical and biophysical <i>in vitro</i> characterization methods to demonstrate the polypeptide’s potential to function as a wet adhesive. Modifying the sequence and applying it to different surfaces has allowed us to identify key parameters of the polypeptide’s adhesion ability, including aromaticity, positive charge, linkers, and repeating motifs. We also tested multiple <i>Vibrio cholerae</i> mutants to understand the surface adhesion as a biofilm. Finally, we collaborated with simulation groups to corroborate experimental data with theory. Understanding and establishing a model for the adhesion mechanism of the polypeptide enables better engineering of wet adhesives.<br/>Overall, we demonstrate that a 57-aa sequence of a <i>Vibrio cholerae</i> biofilm adhesin could be used as a glue for different underwater surfaces. Our findings contribute to the general development of superior wet adhesives.