Catechol-Functionalized Elastin-like Polypeptides as Tissue Adhesives.

Adhesives can potentially be used to achieve fast and efficient wound closure; however, current products show poor bonding on wet surfaces, undergo swelling, and lack adequate biocompatibility. We designed a hydrogel adhesive with recombinant elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs), which are flexible proteins that can be customized for biomedical needs. The adhesive proteins are synthesized by chemically modifying the ELPs with dopamine, which contain adhesive catechol moieties.