Scientists have developed a super strong, flexible adhesive material inspired by the glue secreted by slugs that sticks to biological tissues — even when wet — without causing toxicity.

The “tough adhesive” is biocompatible and binds to tissues with a strength comparable to the body’s own resilient cartilage, researchers said.

“The key feature of our material is the combination of a very strong adhesive force and the ability to transfer and dissipate stress, which have historically not been integrated into a single adhesive,” said Dave Mooney, professor at Harvard University’s Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences in the U.S.

The research was published in the journal Science.