It's Shark Week! Five Ways Sharks Are Shaping Chemistry Across Disciplines

Sharks have long captured the public imagination, but their scientific and environmental significance goes far beyond their reputation as apex predators (and their scene-stealing roles in film and TV). This Shark Week, we’re spotlighting several recent articles in ACS journals that explore sharks from multiple angles—literally and figuratively. Whether it’s the structural secrets of their skeletons or the harmful pollutants accumulating in their tissues, these five studies reveal how sharks are helping scientists tackle questions in immunology, materials science, environmental chemistry, and beyond. We hope these findings give you plenty to sink your teeth into!

Shark nanobodies target a crustacean allergen

Shellfish allergies are one of the most common food allergies, affecting at least 2% of the global population. Researchers in China have now identified nanobodies from sharks that bind to Pro c 2, a major allergen in crayfish. Using phage display and interaction analysis, the team screened for nanobodies with high affinity and specificity. These findings, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, could inform future diagnostics or therapeutic strategies for shellfish allergies, and they underscore the potential of shark-derived molecules in biomedical applications.

A nanoscale look at shark skeletons

Did you know that shark skeletons are made of cartilage instead of bone? This allows their vertebral columns to function like a biological spring, storing and releasing energy as they swim—but few studies have examined how this mineralized cartilage behaves at the nanoscale under mechanical stress until now.

Researchers reporting in ACS Nano combined X-ray technology and deep-learning segmentation methods to examine the ultrastructure of mineralized cartilage in blacktip sharks. Results revealed a complex, hierarchical structure that balances stiffness and flexibility to manage stress and resist damage at multiple scales. The findings provide insight into how nature engineers flexible yet durable materials, offering inspiration for bioinspired materials and soft robotics.

Shaping the stability of shark antibodies

Shark antibodies are known for their exceptional thermal stability, but they can still clump together when exposed to high temperatures. This study in ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering looks into how a specific disulfide bond linking two regions of shark single-domain antibodies (VNARs) influences their structure and performance. Removing the bond improved refolding and reduced heat-induced aggregation, but it also weakened structural stability and binding strength. The results suggest that VNARs respond differently to structural changes than similar antibodies from other species, offering new insight for designing more effective tools for diagnostics and other applications outside of the lab.

PFAS in sharks: a tale of two coasts

In a recent study published in Environmental Science & Technology, researchers measured PFAS levels in sharks from two very different marine environments: the heavily industrialized New York Bight and the more remote waters of The Bahamas. The study found clear differences in the types and concentrations of PFAS between the two regions, reflecting local pollution sources. This work highlights how sharks can serve as indicators of chemical exposure in marine ecosystems and help track the spread of persistent environmental contaminants.

Deep-sea nurseries pose mercury risk for catsharks

Blackmouth catsharks lay their eggs near deep-sea brine pools, extreme environments enriched with naturally occurring mercury. Researchers reporting in Environmental Science & Technology Letters found high mercury levels in adult tissues and embryos, pointing to both environmental exposure and maternal transfer. The study suggests that these sharks may have adapted to toxic conditions over evolutionary timescales, making their nurseries a valuable model for studying long-term resilience to metal contamination.