Research Measure: Discovery
Funding Type: SFI Research Frontiers Programme
Funding Year: 2009
Project Duration: 48 Months
Project Type: Project-Based
Total Grant-Aid: €150,570
Lead Partner: NUI, Galway, (Dept. Zoology)
Project Summary:
Developing glues that work in wet environments would be extremely useful in surgical applications however this remains an unachievable technology as it is based on different principles than achieving adhesion in air. Stalked barnacles have evolved underwater mechanisms to cement their bases to all sorts of surfaces due to their fouling lifestyle. These glues can withstand powerful forces underwater, are non-toxic and are effective over a range of temperatures. It is known that molecular methods produce this attachment but the protein molecules involved, their production and their functions are unknown and will form the basis of this research.