In this fascinating episode, Dr. Harrington unpacks his cutting-edge research exploring the potential of mistletoe viscin, a natural cellulosic adhesive, for various material and biomedical applications.

Viscin, which consists of cellulose microfibrils encapsulated by a humidity-responsive matrix, possesses an array of properties that render it a promising candidate for diverse applications. Remarkably, its humidity-activated self-adhesive capabilities allow for mechanical drawing into stiff and sticky fibers, which can then be 'welded' into complex 2D and 3D architectures under ambient conditions.

Dr. Harrington's team also found that viscin can be processed into stiff, transparent free-standing films through biaxial stretching in the hydrated state, followed by drying. This process results in cellulose microfibrils aligning along local stress fields. Additionally, viscin exhibits robust adhesion to a variety of materials, including metals, plastics, glass, and even biological tissues like skin and cartilage.

Notably, the strong adherence of viscin to skin presents a compelling case for its use as a wound sealant, as Dr. Harrington further demonstrates. By leveraging the properties of this hygro- and mechano-responsive fiber-reinforced adhesive, researchers can unlock transformative potential for bioinspired and biomedical applications.

Keywords: Dr. Harrington, Mistletoe Viscin, Cellulosic Adhesive, Bioinspired Design, Biomedical Applications, Humidity-Activated Self-Adhesive, Wound Sealant, Material Applications.

Nils Horbelt, Peter Fratzl, Matthew J Harrington, Mistletoe viscin: a hygro- and mechano-responsive cellulose-based adhesive for diverse material applications https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac026