 Muscles have evolved the unique ability to stick to surfaces underwater, and scientists have been studying how they do so in order to develop new materials and technologies. This research has focused on creating synthetic versions of these adhesive proteins, known as coaservates, which can be injected into water to form strong bonds. These coaservates are made up of two components, one that is acidic and one that is basic, which interact with each other to create a stable bond. By varying the pH of the solution, the researchers were able to control the strength of the bond. They also found that the pH of the solution could be adjusted by changing the type of polymer used. This means that the same material can be used in different environments depending on the pH of the surrounding environment. This article was authored by Tan Fat Huyen, Yaching Chen, Fiona L. Bach Gansmo, and others.