Could mussel ‘glue’ heal sick babies in the womb?

MUsseLs could help improve surgery performed on babies while they’re still in the womb.

Molluscs produce strong silky threads called byssal threads, which they use to attach themselves to rocks.

scientists at the University of california believe that synthetic versions of the threads could be used as medical glue in surgery.

closing surgical incisions in foetal surgery (where anatomical birth defects are repaired before birth) is difficult because the womb is wet, so standard medical glue doesn’t work.

But mussel threads — which are made of ‘sticky’ proteins — work underwater, partly because they’re quick-setting.

the researchers have found the glue works in rabbits and will look into extending the study to humans.