Abstract: The proteins involved in barnacle are useful in devising high-strength protein-based adhesives capable of curing under water, coatings for prosthetic implants to serve as an interface between the prosthetic and the bone or other tissue, and methods of preventing biofouling of underwater surfaces. DNA and amino acid sequences of the adhesion proteins are provided and isolated nucleic acid sequences and isolated proteins, vectors comprising such isolated nucleic acid sequences as well as microorganisms comprising such vectors and capable of expressing a barnacle adhesive protein are also provided.