Natural defences of frogs and slugs inspire research into new adhesives

Research into the defence system of certain frogs and slugs that use a sticky substance to protect themselves could potentially lead to the development of new, innovative adhesives, according to researchers at the University of Mons (UMons).

Scientists from UMons' Biology of Marine Organisms and Biomimetics Unit recently contributed to two studies of animals that use a defence system involving a very rapidly produced glue.

When Madagascar tomato frogs and Arion subfuscus slugs are attacked by predators, they produce a very sticky liquid through their skin. This turns into a powerful glue in a matter of seconds, making it almost impossible for predators to ingest the animals.

The results of the studies were recently published in the scientific journals Soft Matter and Nature Communications. According to UMons, the adhesive secretions not only provide valuable information about the biology of the animals but can also be a model for developing new adhesives that mimic these secretions, which could be useful in medical or biotechnological applications.

^{Tomato frog, Madagascar © PHOTO IMAGEBROKER}