Provided herein are polymers having the general formula I as defined herein, A-L-B  Formula I as well as crosslinked polymers having the general formula III: B′-L′-A′-A″-L″-B″  Formula III and methods of preparing the polymers, wherein A is a dihydroxyphenyl moiety; A′-A″ is a pair of crosslinked dihydroxyphenyl moieties; B, B′ and B″ are each a biopolymer; and L, L′ and L″ are each a linking moiety. Further provided are crosslinked adhesives prepared from the polymers, methods of generating same by oxidizing a polymer, and uses thereof. Further provided are kits comprising an adhesive and an oxidizing agent.