New NWO XS grant

The flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) once was an abundant species that
provided ecologically important reefs supporting biodiversity and productivity.
The reintroduction of hard substrate is needed to kickstart oyster reef
formation, and often concrete is used, however, it is a non-natural material.
We will develop a marine biosourced adhesive that binds oyster shells together
upon immersion in the seawater. Our adhesive will be made from modified seaweed (anionic alginate) and from crustacean skins (cationic chitosan). Postdoc Souma Majumdar will be leading this effort.