Postech University. Korea: Mussels
stick to rocks because its protein has strong adhesive properties. This
protein has been used as a binder for bodily wounds and surgery. An
engineered mussel glue protein, a promising functional binder for the acceleration of bone substitute-assisted bone regeneration, has
been developed by the joint research team of POSTECH and Korea
University Anam Hospital, which can be used in teeth implants.
The
research team consisting of Professor Hyung Joon Cha in the Department
of Chemical Engineering at POSTECH, Professor Sang Ho Jun at Anam
Hospital, and Bong-Hyuk Choi who is a postdoctoral researcher in
Professor Cha’s research group. The team paid attention to the adhesive
protein of mussels that maintained its adhesion in water to develop the
binder. They identified that the binder not only prevented the
heterologous bone graft materials to move from the grafted place, but
also substantially helped bone formation.
It
was possible to produce adhesive proteins from mussels in small
quantities, but Professor Cha’s team has opened the way to the mass
production of molecular biotechnology. A dental company that specializes
in dental material is studying the team’s findings for
commercialization.
The
team plans to conduct a follow-up study of utilizing stem cells and
growth factors with the adhesive proteins of mussels to restore bones
that could treat patients who have facial bone defects.
This
research was carried forward by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries
and supported by the Marine Biotech Supporting Centre under the Korea
Institute of Marine Science & Technology Promotion (KIMST).