What mucins can do in medicine
They are in our eyes, on our tongues, and in our stomachs: Protective layers of mucus, a slime consisting primarily of mucins. These are molecules which bind water to form a natural lubricant. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) use them to develop coatings for contact lenses and intubation tubes, healing plasters for use on the tongue and intestines, and much more.The natural lubricant made of mucous molecules - mucins - found in our bodies is more than just a mechanical protective layer, it also wards off bacteria and viruses. Oliver Lieleg, Professor of Biopolymer Materials at TUM, and his team develop mucin-based materials for medical applications. ...
