Gekko gecko (Linnaeus 1758)

Inspired by the patterns of millions of nanoscale setae on the tokay gecko’s toes, bioengineer Jeffrey M. Karp has received patents and awards for the biodegradable, biocompatible, elastic tissue adhesive. Since 2008, Karp Lab of Harvard-MIT Science and Technology and BWH has been perfecting this noninvasive alternative to stitches and sutures for closing and sealing wounds and incisions. Also, this surgical tape will be able to release drugs to help tissues heal. For years many other scientists have mimiced the gecko toe hairs to make gecko tape and robots that can climb. One polymer scientist using carbon nanotubes remarked, “A gecko’s foot is like a perfect Post-it.”