MetaGlue: Metamorphosis and Biological Adhesives - Biomaterials for Development, Survival, and Medical Applications

Aim

The aim of this project is to characterise the physico-chemical properties of an insect and a plant biomaterial and to explore their combination in order to improve adhesive performance. Our long-term goal is to develop a novel, sustainable, non-toxic, and biodegradable tissue glue suitable for a broad range of surgical applications.

Background

Many organisms produce specialised biomaterials that enable them to interact with their environment and increase their chances of survival. In insects, one prominent example is the larval glue of Drosophila melanogaster, which allows larvae to attach securely to substrates during metamorphosis. This adhesive is essential for successful development and illustrates how developmental traits have evolved to optimise interactions between the organism and its environment.

In medicine, tissue adhesives play an important role in wound closure and regenerative therapies. However, currently available glues do not fulfil all requirements for an ideal adhesive. Naturally derived or bio-inspired materials generally show lower cytotoxicity, reduced immune responses, and better biocompatibility than many (semi-)synthetic alternatives. In this project, we therefore investigate biomaterials produced by D. melanogaster and by the plant Agave angustifolia. Both systems have been previously studied, and their major components are known. Nevertheless, in the case of D. melanogaster, the molecular basis of adhesion remains poorly understood, and additional proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, or chemical modifications may contribute to glue properties. A comprehensive physico-chemical and proteomic analysis is therefore required.

Hypotheses and Research Questions

We hypothesise that the native adhesive strength of D. melanogaster glue is optimised for bonding lightweight biological structures, such as larvae to natural substrates. While sufficient for this biological function, its application range for biomedical use may be limited. We therefore investigate whether combining insect and plant biomaterials can expand and improve adhesive performance.

The presence of carbohydrate-binding proteins and enzymes involved in fructose metabolism suggests that carbohydrates may play an important role in glue function. We hypothesise that combining Drosophila glue with agavins from Agave will result in a composite biomaterial with novel and enhanced adhesive properties. By integrating proteomic, cytotoxicity, and physico-chemical analyses, this project aims to link biological function, evolutionary adaptation, and biomedical application.