Diatoms, unicellular microalgae manage to attach to any conceivable surface underwater. Attachment is mediated by secreted biopolymers, which have been analyzed biochemically and characterized by various methods.
Figure 1. (a) SDS-PAGE separation of A. coffeaeformis (adhesive proteins) (…). (b) SDS-PAGE separation of the crude adhesive material (…). (c) Adhesive trail (arrows) deposited by A. coffeaeformis (star)(….). (d) Scanning electron micrograph of A. coffeaeformis cell wall (…). Scale bars, c,d = 5 µm. Figure and (shortened) legend from Lachnit M, et al.Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 2019