Editing Drosera (section)

=== Nano-biotechnology ===
The mucilage produced by ''Drosera'' has remarkable elastic properties and has made this genus a very attractive subject in biomaterials research. In one recent study, the adhesive mucilages of three species (''D.&nbsp;binata'', ''D.&nbsp;capensis'', and ''D.&nbsp;spatulata'') were analyzed for [[nanofiber]] and [[nanoparticle]] content.<ref name="Zhang-2010">{{Cite journal | doi=10.1186/1477-3155-8-20 | pmid = 20718990 | pmc = 2931452 | title = Nanofibers and nanoparticles from the insect capturing adhesive of the Sundew (''Drosera'') for cell attachment | year = 2010 | author = Zhang, M. | journal = Journal of Nanobiotechnology | volume = 8 | issue = 20 | last2 = Lenaghan | first2 = S.C. | last3 = Xia | first3 = L. | last4 = Dong | first4 = L. | last5 = He | first5 = W. | last6 = Henson | first6 = W.R. | last7 = Fan | first7 = X. | pages=20 | doi-access = free }}</ref> Using [[atomic force microscopy]], [[transmission electron microscopy]], and [[energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy]], researchers were able to observe networks of nanofibers and nanoparticles of various sizes within the mucilage residues. In addition, [[calcium]], [[magnesium]], and [[chlorine]] – key components of biological salts - were identified.<ref name="Zhang-2010"/> These nanoparticles are theorized to increase the viscosity and stickiness of the mucilage, in turn increasing the effectiveness of the trap.

More importantly for biomaterials research, however, is the fact that, when dried, the mucin provides a suitable substrate for the attachment of living cells. This has important implications for tissue engineering, especially because of the elastic qualities of the adhesive. Essentially, a coating of ''Drosera'' mucilage on a surgical implant, such as a replacement hip or an organ transplant, could drastically improve the rate of recovery and decrease the potential for rejection, because living tissue can effectively attach and grow on it. The authors also suggest a wide variety of applications for ''Drosera'' mucin, including wound treatment, regenerative medicine, or enhancing synthetic adhesives.<ref name="Zhang-2010"/> Because this mucilage can stretch to nearly a million times its original size and is readily available for use, it can be an extremely cost-efficient source of biomaterial.<ref name="Gaddam-2021">{{cite journal |last1=Gaddam |first1=Susmila Aparna |last2=Kotakadi |first2=Venkata Subbaiah |last3=Subramanyam |first3=Gunasekhar Kalavakunta |last4=Penchalaneni |first4=Josthna |last5=Challagundla |first5=Varadarajulu Naidu |last6=Dvr |first6=Sai Gopal |last7=Pasupuleti |first7=Visweswara Rao |title=Multifaceted phytogenic silver nanoparticles by an insectivorous plant Drosera spatulata Labill var. bakoensis and its potential therapeutic applications |journal=Scientific Reports |date=9 November 2021 |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=21969 |doi=10.1038/s41598-021-01281-8 |pmid=34753977 |pmc=8578548 |bibcode=2021NatSR..1121969G |url=https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-01281-8 |access-date=17 March 2022 |language=en |issn=2045-2322}}</ref>