USA as Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Christopher R So

Kathryn J Wahl

Michael C Wilson

Adhesive formulations comprising bovine serum albumin, b-lactoglobulin, and/or a-lactalbumin can be applied and cured underwater to form a strong adhesive. Curing can be accomplished using heat or via a chemical denaturing component.

Underwater adhesives formed by aggregation of free proteins into amyloid materials

Peptides that form adhesive bonds, even in aqueous and/or saline environments, are disclosed. When aggregated, the peptides may be used in methods for producing hydrogels and/or adhesive materials. Synthetic peptide analogs are provided that are designed based on protein sequences found in barnacle adhesive, and may optionally be augmented with chemistry from other organisms that secrete proteins that adhere to substrates. The peptides may be used, for example, in biomedical and aqueous applications. Methods of using the aggregated peptides as adhesives are also provided.

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Alexandria, VA, United States of America

Christopher R So