Characterization of the cement apparatus and the cement in Dosima fascicularis
FWF project P 21767; Waltraud Klepal (2009)

Abstract

Many organisms, ranging from microscopic bacteria and fungi to much larger marine and terrestrial vertebrates, use adhesive substances. These biological glues vary widely in structure and components, and often function in ways that  differ greatly from conventional man-made adhesives. The synthesis of new and specific biomimetic adhesive polymers is currently one of the hot spots in material science. There is an ongoing need for new tissue adhesive materials for use in wound healing of both soft and hard tissue, as well as for adhesion of medical and dental implants.
Cirripedia live attached to hard surfaces by means of extremely strong and permanent cement. This cement is wellcharacterized and has attracted much attention for the development of new anti-fouling products. While most cirripedes produce just enough cement for attachment on hard substrates the Pedunculate Dosima fascicularis is exceptional in producing excess cement, which is then used as float. So far, not much attention has been paid to the foam-like cement of Dosima.
The central objective of this proposed work is to study the morphology of the cement glands and to investigate the structure of the cement ultrastructurally and to analyse its composition histochemically and biochemically. The results of this study are expected to provide the basis for the production of biomimetic adhesives to be used in medicine and to open up new possibilities for application in underwater construction.

Publications

Zheden V., Klepal W., Gorb S.N., Kovalev A. (2015): Mechanical properties of the cement of the stalked barnacle Dosima fascicularis (Cirripedia, Crustacea). Interface Focus 5: 20140049.
rsfs.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/5/1/20140049

Zheden V., Kovalev A., Gorb S.N., Klepal W. (2015): Characterization of cement float buoyancy of the stalked barnacle Dosima fascicularis (Crustacea, Cirripedia). Interface Focus 5: 20140060. 
http://rsfs.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/5/1/20140060

Zheden V., Klepal W., von Byern J., Bogner F.R., Thiel K., Kowalik T., Grunwald I. (2014): Biochemical analyses of the cement float of the goose barnacle Dosima fascicularis – a preliminary study. Biofouling 30: 949-963.           
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08927014.2014.954557#.VK6XDhF0wUQ

Zheden V., von Byern J., Kerbl A., Leisch N., Staedler Y., Grunwald I., Power A. M., Klepal W. (2012): Morphology of the cement apparatus and the cement of the buoy barnacle Dosima fascicularis (Ellis & Solander, 1786) (Crustacea, Cirripedia, Thoracica, Lepadidae). Biological Bulletin, 223: 192-204                                    
http://www.biolbull.org/content/223/2/192.full.pdf+html