Why and how to learn from Nature?

The byssus is formed of a root from which extend several relatively thick ribbons, in contrast to the many thin threads of the Mytilidae (Mahéo, 1969; Gruffydd, 1978; Gruffydd et al., 1979). It is composed of complex proteinaceous molecules (Bubel, 1984). The root is formed of 30–50 fibrous ribbons formed from secretions of the primary byssus gland (Gruffydd, 1978; Gruffydd et al., 1979). These fibres are covered by a thin matrix of amorphous material at their proximal extremities. The proximal portions are thick and unstructured, whereas the distal portions are finely folded and the matrix covering becomes progressively thinner (Gruffydd et al., 1979). The ribbons are bound together by a fibrous sheath, secreted by the secondary byssus gland (Gruffydd et al., 1979).

Byssus is a remarkable adhesive, one that is neither degraded nor deformed by water as synthetic adhesives are[citation needed]. This property has spurred genetic engineers to insert mussel DNA into yeast cells for translating the genes into the appropriate proteins.

A byssus is a bundle of filaments secreted by many species of bivalve mollusk that function to attach the mollusk to a solid surface. Species from several families of clams have a byssus, including the pen shells, the true mussels and the false mussels: the Pinnidae, the Mytilidae and the Dreissenidae.

Byssus cloth is a rare fabric, also known as sea silk, that is made using the byssus of pen shells as the fiber source.

How to bio-mimic byssus to manufacture structural materials, such as steels? Cecilia's new paper on byssus- inspired steels will give you an answer......read more at  Cecilia's lovely Byssus