Close-up view of synthetic beads-on-a-thread. Image: The University of Akron

Scientists at the University of Akron have developed a novel synthetic material similar to a specific kind of silk spun by an orb spider, according to a university press release. The web design is known as BOAS (beads on a string) because it resembles beads arranged in a circular pattern on a string. The beads are glue droplets. The replication of this design can potentially be used to make strong and flexible sutures that contain medication embedded in bead-like structures.

The scientists published their findings in an article titled “Spider Silk Inspired Functional Microthreads” in the American Chemical Society’s journal Langmuir. Additionally, the researchers will present at two upcoming scientific conferences. Beyond getting the word out, the next step for this team is to apply for funding to speed the commercialization process to create medical materials that can help heal injured tendons or tissue.

“We have been very interested in architecture of adhesives produced by spiders and were very intrigued to understand why spiders use the BOAS structure,” says Vasav Sahni, a polymer science graduate student and lead author of the article published in Langmuir.

Sahni and research team members Ali Dhinojwala, PhD, chair of the Department of Polymer Science, Maurice Morton, professor of polymer science, and Disha Labhasetwar, an NSF-REU student with the department of polymer science created the BOAS replica by copying techniques used by spiders when they spin silk.

“We used fluid-mechanics concepts to vary the size and spacing of the glue beads, and mimicked the spider silk threads by using commercially available materials, such as nylon,” Sahni says, adding that he and his colleagues designed and fabricated a specialized piece of equipment to develop the threads.

Rather than place individual glue drops on a string, the researchers’ novel technique coats threads uniformly with glue. The glue forms waves, which morph into beads that create greater-than-average contact areas and also release energy, or adhesive strength, when peeled. The beads also have the potential to create a structure in which medication can be placed and released.

Dhinojwala, Sahni, and their research colleagues developed the biocompatible thread to address one of the needs identified in a pilot program with the Austin BioInnovation Institute in Akron (ABIA). The scientists shadowed medical experts at the Akron General Hospital wound clinic, the Akron Children’s Hospital burn unit, and Summa Health System, assessing needs and developing solutions.

The researchers plan to apply for a $25,000 ABIA grant to fund development of a prototype and hope to see it commercialized locally. They say their simple and scalable technique allows for rapid and large-scale fabrication of the new adhesives.