Plastic-based adhesive manufacturing tape is used on an industrial scale. As it is produced using petroleum and is non-biodegradable, current manufacturing tape is a waste product. In order to create a sustainable manufacturing tape alternative, we took inspiration from mussels, which produce a natural adhesive. Mussels attach to surfaces through their adhesive byssus threads, allowing them to withstand strong underwater currents. Our goal is to synthetically produce an adhesive substance primarily using the amino acid 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine (DOPA), a significant component of mussel foot proteins 3 and 5 (mfp-3 and mfp-5) produced by mussels. By implanting genes that code for mfp-3 and mfp-5 into E. coli, our chassis, we can produce large amounts of the adhesive for industrial use.

In order to make the tape application, we can place our produced adhesive on already existing paper tape to create heavy duty manufacturing tape. Our goal for biodegradable mussel tape is in alignment with the United Nations’ Twelfth Sustainable Development Goal, Responsible Consumption and Production. Furthermore, due to the aquatic nature of mussels, there is potential for future development of a salt-water durable adhesive tape.