Slime-shooting velvet worms could inspire better plastics and glues | Headline Science

Researchers discovered a rare kind of protein modification in the slime of velvet worms, a finding that could one day help scientists make plastics and glues more recyclable. Velvet worms shoot sticky jets of slime to defend themselves and capture prey. The slime quickly dries into strong fibers that can be dissolved in water and remade into new fibers. Scientists knew that the slime contained high levels of phosphorus. Previously, they assumed the phosphorus was attached to the proteins as part of a phosphate group, which is common in animals. But the researchers were surprised when their experiments revealed something different.
Fun fact: Despite their name, velvet worms are technically not worms! They are actually arthropods and closely related to tardigrades.
“Peculiar Phosphonate Modifications of Velvet Worm Slime Revealed by Advanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Mass Spectrometry”
Journal of the American Chemical Society
doi.org/10.1021/jacs.3c06798
Corresponding authors: Isabelle Marcotte, Ph.D. and Matthew J. Harrington, Ph.D.
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