Iron-Clad Fibers: A Metal-Based Biological Strategy for Hard Flexible Coatings

Abstract

Mussel Fibers While it is possible to make strong fibers or threads from organic materials, most suffer from high wear abrasion. Marine mussels attach themselves to rocky seashores using a series of byssal threads. Despite the constant rubbing caused by the motion of the tides, the threads show high wear resistance. Harrington et al. (p. 216 , published online 4 March; see the Perspective by Messersmith ) now find that the threads are protected by a proteinaceous outer cuticle that is rich in the amino acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa), which is known to be a strong adhesive. The cuticle is also rich in metal ions, primarily Fe 3+ . The dopa-metal crosslinks helped to form the tough outer coating.