09/19/2026
Nature's Superglue: What Bacteria Can Teach Us
Cécile Berne, Ph. D, researcher, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal
What do dental plaque, slippery river rocks, and the slimy edges of neglected swimming pools have in common? They are all created by bacteria that have mastered the art of sticking to surfaces.
Nature has evolved remarkable adhesives, and some bacteria produce glues that are far stronger and more versatile than any synthetic products. Could these microscopic organisms inspire the next generation of environmentally friendly superglues?
In this presentation, Dr. Cécile Berne, researcher at the Université de Montréal, will introduce the fascinating world of bacteria and explain why they prefer to live together in surface-attached communities. She will reveal the extraordinary adhesive powers of Caulobacter, a bacterium that produces the strongest glue ever measured under laboratory conditions, and discuss how her research aims to uncover the secrets behind this biological adhesive. By understanding how nature builds such powerful glues, scientists hope to develop sustainable, high-performance materials for the future.