Max Planck researchers study the versatile properties of snail mucus

Researchers have discovered how common grove snails (Cepaea nemoralis) can manipulate the properties of their mucus to serve diverse functions, including locomotion, adhesion, protection against dehydration, sealing shells, and defense.

A study published in the journal Science reveals that the snails achieve these varying physical states—ranging from liquid and slippery to solid and sticky—by adjusting the proportions of the same basic building blocks. The primary components identified are proteins, specifically Collagen VI, and calcium.

Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Colloids and Interfaces, in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, found that Collagen VI acts as a central structural element. This discovery highlights the versatility of snail mucus as a natural biomaterial for material science research.