Once they get hold of each other, they never let go
Researchers at Oxford University have developed a really strong superglue that can stick molecules together and not let go. It was inspired by a protein from a type of bacteria that can cause deadly infections like flesh-eating disease. The molecular glue could have many applications in the research lab and the wider scientific community.
Dr. Mark Howarth and graduate student Bijan Zakeri at the Department of Biochemistry developed the superglue by engineering Streptococcus pyogenes, a protein used by bacteria to bind and invade human cells. The protein has a 3D structure with strong chemical bonds that form in an instant and bind together with exceptional strength. The biochemists engineered the protein to split and reform, nicknaming the larger fragment ‘SpyCatcher’ and the shorter protein segment, ‘SpyTag’. Once they get hold of each other, they never let go, and will stick together in test tube reactions or inside cells, without sticking to other things.
Bookmark this page for “Molecular Superglue” and check back regularly as these articles update on a very frequent basis. The view is set to “news”. Try clicking on “video” and “2” for more articles.
