This article is from page 15 of the 2012-07-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
BEACH users in North Clare have been asked to be on the look out for a rare barnacle which could revolutionise how some of the most complicated surgeries are carried out.
The rare goose barnacle, or Lepas anatifera, produces what has been described as a “natural underwater superglue” which could significant- ly change how surgeons approach operations if it can be synthetically produced.
A team of scientist from the Zoology Department at NUI, Galway are studying the barnacles adhesive properties – which allow it to attack itself to any surface, even a non-stick pan, in a wet or underwater environment.
The difficulty is that the Lepas anatifera live and breed in open wa- ter and living specimens are rarely found close to the shore. However, the research team has discovered a number of the barnacles alive on Fanore beach in North Clare.
It is as yet unclear why the barnacles seem to favour the beach at Fanore but the NUI, Galway scientists are appealing to anyone using the beach to be on the look-out for the rare animals. The barnacles emit a substance which hardens into a “strong cement” – consisting of a mixture of several proteins. The scientists hope to study the glands which the barnacles use to produce these proteins.
“We humans haven’t managed to create glues that can be used successfully in wet environments, but nature has done it over and over again,” said Jaimie-Leigh Jonker, who is involved in the research.
“Underwater adhesion is a largely non-existent technology and would be of particular benefit in medicine.
“In the course of surgical procedures mechanical attachments such as staples and stitches are often used, but strong glue that could be used in a wet environment and not damage living tissue would be far more suitable for many procedures.”
Anyone who comes across a suspected live goose barnacle is asked to call 091 493191 or visit facebook. com/TheAmazingGooseBarnacle.