+ECOLOGICAL +PERFORMANCE
In collaboration with Professor Christian Pellerin, Professor Marcotte’s team developed products based on protein extracted from the anchoring filaments or byssus of blue mussels. The first researchers to develop this type of biomaterial, they succeeded in putting the byssus filaments into a solution and forming films whose mechanical properties depend on the pH.
This work opened the way for the development of materials that could be commercialized. These materials could be applied, for example, to the engineering of soft tissues such as tendons or the delivery of medication. In addition, by enhancing fibres considered to be aquaculture waste, these materials could have a significant socio-economic impact on coastal regions as well as positive repercussions for the environment.
REFERENCES
[1] F Byette, C Pellerin, I Marcotte, J. Mater. Chem. B 2, 6378 – 6386, 2014
RESEARCHERS
Pr. Marcotte (UQAM) and Pr. Pellerin (Université de Montréal)