The structural and chemical basis of temporary adhesion in the sea star Asterina gibbosa.

ABSTRACT: Background: Marine biological adhesives are a promising source of inspiration for biomedical and industrial applications. Nevertheless, natural adhesives and especially temporary adhesion systems are mostly unexplored. Sea stars are able to repeatedly attach and detach their hydraulic tube feet. This ability is based on a duo-gland system and, upon detachment, the adhesive material stays behind on the substrate as a 'footprint'. In recent years, characterization of sea star temporary adhesion has been focussed on the forcipulatid species Asterias rubens. Results: We investigated the temporary adhesion system in the distantly related valvatid species Asterina gibbosa. The morphology of tube feet was described using histological sections, transmission-, and scanni

SUBMITTER: Lengerer B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6122182 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature