Mussel-Extracted Byssal Threads as Inspired Biomaterials for Biosensor Fabrication and Biomedical Applications.

Mussels, an ecologically diverse group of bivalve molluscs, have attracted attention due to phenomenal adaptability across marine and estuarine environments and an exceptional ability to adhere strongly to wet and dynamic substrata by secreting specialized adhesive structures called byssal threads. These proteinaceous structures, which are secured by sticky plaques, enable mussels to sustain harsh environments and powerful currents. The cuticular covering of byssal thread is mechanically strong but flexible, with reversible metal-ligand coordination, particularly Fe3+-DOPA bonds that provide load-dissipating and self-healing properties. The unique combination of different properties, including mechanical, metal-binding, and self-healing, has been attributed to unique proteins synthesized by mussels called mussel foot proteins (mfps) found within the byssus, which is rich in catechol-containing residues such as DOPA. Numerous environmental factors affect the development and functional efficacy of byssus. Motivated by the remarkable properties of mussels, scientists have developed a wide range of bioinspired materials. This review presents an overview of different mussel species as well as structural and functional characteristics of the byssal threads. Besides focusing on their mechanical strength and biocompatibility, this study examines recent advancements in mussel-inspired hydrogels and scaffolds for bone regeneration, motion detection, and wound healing. Further emphasizing unique adhesion chemistry, this review highlights the development of next-generation biomaterials and healthcare technologies, especially smart biosensors and multifunctional theranostic platforms for integrated disease diagnostics and targeted therapy.

• Publication year

  2026

• Venue

  ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering

• Publication date

  2026-01-06

• Fields of study

  Biology, Medicine, Materials Science, Engineering

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.5c01635PMID 41493207
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar, PubMed

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

• Nano-fibers fabrication using biological macromolecules: Application in biosensing and biomedicine.

  2025cited by this paper
• Mussel-inspired Integrated functional 3D printed scaffolds with molybdenum disulfide nanoflowers for tumor therapy and bone reconstruction

  2025cited by this paper
• Mussel-inspired tissue adhesive composite hydrogel with photothermal and antioxidant properties prepared from pectin for burn wound healing.

  2024cited by this paper
• Anthropogenic underwater noise: A review on physiological and molecular responses of marine biota.

  2024cited by this paper
• A carboxymethyl cellulose/chitosan-based hydrogel harvests robust adhesive, on-demand detachment and self-healing performances for deep burn healing

  2024cited by this paper
• Multiresponsive Liquid Crystal Collagen Guides Mussel Byssus Formation.

  2024cited by this paper
• Tumor microenvironment activated mussel-inspired hollow mesoporous nanotheranostic for enhanced synergistic photodynamic/chemodynamic therapy.

  2024cited by this paper
• Stimuli Responsive Molecular Exchange of Structure Directing Agents on Gold Nanobipyramids: Cancer Cell Detection and Synergistic Therapeutics.

  2024cited by this paper
• No recruits for an ageing population: First signs of probable population extinction in one of the last reservoirs of the Critically Endangered species Pinna nobilis

  2024cited by this paper
• Mussel-inspired adhesive drug-loaded hydrogels for oral ulcers treatment.

  2024cited by this paper
• Cellulose-based dual-crosslinked hydrogels with strong wet adhesion and benign on-demand detachment

  2024cited by this paper
• Software Integrated Personalized Biosensing Device for Serum Creatinine Detection Based on Boron doped MXene Nanohybrid.

  2024cited by this paper
• Black Phosphorus Nanosheets‐Loaded Mussel‐Inspired Hydrogel with Wet Adhesion, Photothermal Antimicrobial, and In Situ Remineralization Capabilities for Caries Prevention

  2024cited by this paper
• Mussel-inspired immunomodulatory and osteoinductive dual-functional hydroxyapatite nanoplatform for promoting bone regeneration

  2024cited by this paper
• A review of cellulose-based catechol-containing functional materials for advanced applications.

  2024cited by this paper
• Mussel byssus-inspired dual-functionalization of zirconia dental implants for improved bone integration

  2024cited by this paper
• Advancement in Biopolymer Assisted Cancer Theranostics

  2023cited by this paper
• Mussel-Inspired Multifunctional Hydrogels with Adhesive, Self-Healing, Antioxidative, and Antibacterial Activity for Wound Healing.

  2023cited by this paper
• Chitosan-based mussel-inspired hydrogel for rapid self-healing and high adhesion of tissue adhesion and wound dressings.

  2023cited by this paper
• Mussel Foot Protein Inspired Tape‐Type Adhesive with Water‐Responsive, High Conformal, Tough, and On‐Demand Detachable Adhesion to Wet Tissue

  2023cited by this paper
• Elemental Concentrations in the Shells of the Mussel Perna perna: Discrimination of Origin

  2023cited by this paper
• Ameliorative effect of mussel-derived ACE inhibitory peptides on spontaneous hypertension rats

  2023cited by this paper
• Eutrophication: Causes, Consequences, Physical, Chemical and Biological Techniques for Mitigation Strategies

  2023cited by this paper
• Variations in dissolved oxygen and aquatic biological responses in China's coastal seas.

  2023cited by this paper
• Radioiodine‐131‐Labeled Theranostic Nanoparticles for Transarterial Radioembolization and Chemoembolization Combination Therapy of VX2 Liver Tumor

  2023cited by this paper
• Biomimetic theranostic nanoparticles for effective anticancer therapy and MRI imaging.

  2023cited by this paper
• Genetic Diversity, Population Structure, and Environmental Adaptation Signatures of Chinese Coastal Hard-Shell Mussel Mytilus coruscus Revealed by Whole-Genome Sequencing

  2023cited by this paper
• Mussel-inspired polydopamine decorated silane modified-electroconductive gelatin-PEDOT:PSS scaffolds for bone regeneration

  2023cited by this paper
• A comparative study on the taste quality of Mytilus coruscus under different shucking treatments.

  2023cited by this paper
• Facile mussel-inspired polymerization to facilitate biomimetic in situ homogeneous mineralization for bone regeneration

  2022cited by this paper
• Identification, characterization, and antimicrobial activity of a novel big defensin discovered in a commercial bivalve mollusc, Tegillarca granosa.

  2022cited by this paper
• Efficient Wet Adhesion through Mussel‐Inspired Proto‐Coacervates

  2022cited by this paper
• Mussel Inspired Trigger-Detachable Adhesive Hydrogel.

  2022cited by this paper
• Ligand conjugated lipid‐based nanocarriers for cancer theranostics

  2022cited by this paper
• Low-Swelling Adhesive Hydrogel with Rapid Hemostasis and Potent Anti-Inflammatory Capability for Full-Thickness Oral Mucosal Defect Repair.

  2022cited by this paper
• PDA-Based Drug Delivery Nanosystems: A Potential Approach for Glioma Treatment

  2022cited by this paper
• Revisiting the adhesion mechanism of mussel-inspired chemistry

  2022cited by this paper
• What we know and don’t know about the invasive golden mussel Limnoperna fortunei

  2022cited by this paper
• How does the brown mussel Perna perna respond to environmental pollution? A review on pollution biomarkers.

  2022cited by this paper
• Mussel-Inspired Polydopamine-Based Multilayered Coatings for Enhanced Bone Formation

  2022cited by this paper
• Mussel-Inspired Ligand Clicking and Ion Coordination on 2D Black Phosphorus for Cancer Multimodal Imaging and Therapy.

  2022cited by this paper
• Sub-lethal and lethal effects of chronic ammonia exposure and hypoxia on a New Zealand bivalve

  2022cited by this paper
• Electro-polymerized poly-methyldopa as a novel synthetic mussel-inspired molecularly imprinted polymeric sensor for darifenacin: Computational and experimental study

  2022cited by this paper
• Point-of-Care Diagnostics for Therapeutic Monitoring of Levofloxacin in Human Plasma Utilizing Electrochemical Sensor Mussel-Inspired Molecularly Imprinted Copolymer

  2022cited by this paper
• A near-infrared triggered upconversion/MoS2 nanoplatform for tumour-targeted chemo-photodynamic combination therapy.

  2022cited by this paper
• Mussel-inspired multifunctional surface through promoting osteogenesis and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis to facilitate bone regeneration

  2022cited by this paper
• Boat noise affects meagre (Argyrosomus regius) hearing and vocal behaviour.

  2021cited by this paper
• Interacting effects of short-term and long-term noise exposure on antipredator behaviour in sand gobies

  2021cited by this paper
• Hemocyte Responses of the Oyster Crassostrea hongkongensis Exposed to Diel-Cycling Hypoxia and Salinity Change

  2021cited by this paper
• Mussel-Inspired Conductive Hydrogel with Self-Healing, Adhesive, and Antibacterial Properties for Wearable Monitoring

  2021cited by this paper
• Two Faces of Amine–Catechol Pair Synergy in Underwater Cation−π Interactions

  2021cited by this paper
• Biocompatible Catechol‐Functionalized Cellulose‐Based Adhesives with Strong Water Resistance

  2021cited by this paper
• A novel theranostic nanoplatform for imaging-guided chemo-photothermal therapy in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

  2021cited by this paper
• Synthesis and characterisation of a mussel-inspired hydrogel film coating for biosensors

  2021cited by this paper
• The safety and efficacy of haemostasis with a catechol-conjugated, chitosan-based haemostatic dressing versus a chitosan-based haemostatic dressing after transfemoral approach for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization: a randomized controlled trial

  2021cited by this paper
• Current hydrogel advances in physicochemical and biological response-driven biomedical application diversity

  2021cited by this paper
• A Topological Stitching Strategy for Biocompatible Wet Adhesion Using Mussel‐Inspired Polyurethane

  2021cited by this paper
• Mussel Byssal Attachment Weakened by Anthropogenic Noise

  2021cited by this paper
• Molecular mechanisms of astragaloside‑IV in cancer therapy (Review).

  2021cited by this paper
• The in vivo fate of tobacco mosaic virus nanoparticle theranostic agents modified by the addition of a polydopamine coat.

  2021cited by this paper
• The soundscape of the Anthropocene ocean

  2021cited by this paper
• A multicenter, prospective, randomized clinical trial of marine mussel-inspired adhesive hemostatic materials, InnoSEAL Plus

  2021cited by this paper
• The combined effects of climate change stressors and predatory cues on a mussel species.

  2021cited by this paper
• Mussel-inspired blue-light-activated cellulose-based adhesive hydrogel with fast gelation, rapid haemostasis and antibacterial property for wound healing

  2021cited by this paper
• Bio-clickable mussel-inspired peptides improve titanium-based material osseointegration synergistically with immunopolarization-regulation

  2021cited by this paper
• FROM DARK TO LIGHT AND BACK AGAIN: IS PINNA NOBILIS, THE LARGEST MEDITERRANEAN BIVALVE, ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION?

  2021cited by this paper
• Survival and attachment of biofouling freshwater mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) to environmental conditions: potential implications in its invasion, infection and biofouling control

  2020cited by this paper
• First record of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (Bivalvia, Mytilidae) in Brazil

  2020cited by this paper
• Biosensor nanoengineering: Design, operation, and implementation for biomolecular analysis

  2020cited by this paper
• Nano-therapeutics for modulating the tumour microenvironment: Design, development, and clinical translation.

  2020cited by this paper
• Multifunctional oxygen-enriching nano-theranostics for cancer-specific magnetic resonance imaging and enhanced photodynamic/photothermal therapy

  2020cited by this paper
• The Whole-Genome Sequencing and Hybrid Assembly of Mytilus coruscus

  2020cited by this paper
• Osmoionic homeostasis in bivalve mollusks from different osmotic niches: Physiological patterns and evolutionary perspectives.

  2020cited by this paper
• Trends and knowledge gaps in field research investigating effects of anthropogenic noise

  2020cited by this paper
• Recent progress in synthesis and application of mussel-inspired adhesives.

  2020cited by this paper
• Near-future levels of ocean temperature weaken the byssus production and performance of the mussel Mytilus coruscus.

  2020cited by this paper
• Acoustically responsive polydopamine nanodroplets: A novel theranostic agent.

  2020cited by this paper
• Mussel-inspired hydrogels: from design principles to promising applications.

  2020cited by this paper
• Phase-dependent redox insulation in mussel adhesion

  2020cited by this paper
• Advances and Impact of Antioxidant Hydrogel in Chronic Wound Healing

  2020cited by this paper
• Presence of Vibrio mediterranei associated to major mortality in stabled individuals of Pinna nobilis L.

  2020cited by this paper
• Mussel-Inspired Polydopamine: The Bridge for Targeting Drug Delivery System and Synergistic Cancer Treatment.

  2020cited by this paper
• Compartmentalized processing of catechols during mussel byssus fabrication determines the destiny of DOPA

  2020cited by this paper
• Self-healing silk from the sea: role of helical hierarchical structure in Pinna nobilis byssus mechanics.

  2019cited by this paper
• Mussel-Inspired Hydrogel with Potent in Vivo Contact-Active Antimicrobial and Wound Healing Promoting Activities.

  2019cited by this paper
• Cation-π interactions and their contribution to mussel underwater adhesion studied using a surface forces apparatus: A mini-review.

  2019cited by this paper
• Scalable fabrication of metal-phenolic nanoparticles by coordination-driven flash nanocomplexation for cancer theranostics.

  2019cited by this paper
• Improving the Biocompatibility of Polymeric Membrane Potentiometric Ion Sensors by Using a Mussel-Inspired Polydopamine Coating.

  2019cited by this paper
• Genomics and immunity of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis in a changing environment.

  2019cited by this paper
• The softness of tumour-cell-derived microparticles regulates their drug-delivery efficiency

  2019cited by this paper
• Mussel-Inspired Tough Double Network Hydrogel As Transparent Adhesive

  2019cited by this paper
• Force distribution and multiscale mechanics in the mussel byssus

  2019cited by this paper
• Depuration reduces microplastic content in wild and farmed mussels.

  2019cited by this paper
• A mycobacterial disease is associated with the silent mass mortality of the pen shell Pinna nobilis along the Tyrrhenian coastline of Italy

  2019cited by this paper
• Mussel-Inspired Conducting Copolymer with Aniline Tetramer as Intelligent Biological Adhesive for Bone Tissue Engineering.

  2019cited by this paper
• Seawater acidification and temperature modulate anti-predator defenses in two co-existing Mytilus species.

  2019cited by this paper
• Only as strong as the weakest link: structural analysis of the combined effects of elevated temperature and pCO2 on mussel attachment

  2019cited by this paper
• Recent advances in biomaterials for 3D scaffolds: A review

  2019cited by this paper
• Metal Coordination‐Mediated Functional Grading and Self‐Healing in Mussel Byssus Cuticle

  2019cited by this paper
• Catechol oxidation: considerations in the design of wet adhesive materials.

  2018cited by this paper

• No citing papers are available for this paper.