Water fleas help curb the spread of algae.
But fleas have also inspired an Australian research team hoping to guard implants against bacterial settlement.
Fleas owe their jumping ability to resilin, an elastic protein that is highly resistant, non-toxic and biocompatible.
Adapted as nano droplets with a large surface area and acting as a coating, the protein was 100% effective against E.coli bacteria in lab tests. As soon as the pathogens touched the coating an electrostatic reaction between the two killed all bacteria.
The material is more sustainable than conventional coatings based on silver nanoparticles. Without a chemical reaction, the bacteria is unlikely to develop resistance.
As for treating wounds, black phosphorus or mussel extract protect against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
