Genetically Engineered Polypeptide Adhesive Coacervates for Surgical Applications

Adhesive hydrogels have been developed for wound healing applications. However, their adhesive performance is impaired dramatically due to their high swelling on wet tissues. To tackle this challenge, we fabricated a new type of non-swelling protein adhesive for underwater and in vivo applications. In this soft material, the electrostatic complexation between supercharged polypeptides with oppositely charged surfactants containing 3,4-dihydroxylphenylalanine or azobenzene moieties plays an important role for the formation of ultra-strong adhesive coacervates. Remarkably, the adhesion capability is superior to commercial cyanoacrylate when tested in ambient conditions. Moreover, the adhesion is stronger than other reported protein-based adhesives in underwater environment. The ex vivo and in vivo experiments demonstrate the persistent adhesive performance and outstanding behaviors for wound sealing and healing.

Automated summary

A new type of non-swelling protein adhesive has been developed for underwater and in vivo applications, utilizing electrostatic complexation between supercharged polypeptides and oppositely charged surfactants to form ultra-strong adhesive coacervates. Its adhesion capability surpasses commercial products and other protein-based adhesives in both ambient and underwater conditions, as demonstrated by ex vivo and in vivo experiments showing persistent adhesive performance and outstanding wound sealing and healing behaviors.