MUSSEL - PRIN2017-2017YJMPZN (DCM.AD006.190)

Thematic area

Chemical sciences and materials technology

Project area

Structure responsible for the research project

Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB)

Other structures collaborating in the research project

• Institute of chemistry of organometallic compounds (ICCOM)
• Institute for chemical and physical processes (IPCF)
• Institute on membrane technology (ITM)
• Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (ISTP)

Project manager

MARIAEMANUELA ERRICO
Phone number: 0818675061
Email: mariaemanuela.errico@ipcb.cnr.it

Abstract

Mussel-inspired adhesive polymers, of which polydopamine (PDA) is a leading model, attract considerable interest in biomaterials science, nanomedicine and tissue engineering
for surface functionalization and for nanostructured and composite systems. To meet the increasing demand of wet adhesives and surface functionalization technologies for
biomedical applications, there is a need to better understand the structure, properties and adhesion mechanisms of PDA, to set up versatile functionalization methodologies
toward chemical diversity, and to develop next-generation adhesive polymers that better replicate the strong, instant and durable wet adhesion of mussel byssus for new
functional materials, nanostructures and coatings. The MUSSEL proposal involves 6 Research Units and is organized in 3 workpackages: WP1: Biomimetic chemistry and
modeling; WP2: Surface functionalization and tailoring; WP3: Nanostructure and composite self-assembly. Pillars of the project are: a) the advancement of knowledge on PDA
structure and underwater adhesion; b) innovative methodologies expanding the scope of biomimetic adhesives; c) novel mussel-inspired technological solutions

Start date of activity

29/10/2019

Keywords

structural chemistry, biomaterials, surface chemistry

Last update: 30/04/2024