Technion Scientists Create Mollusk-Inspired Adhesive That Seals Wounds in Seconds
Summary: Researchers at Israel’s Technion have engineered a mussel-inspired bioadhesive that bonds tissues in seconds, even underwater, revolutionizing wound closure for chronic and surgical sites. Mimicking mussel foot proteins with catechol groups for wet adhesion and oxidized crosslinking, the gel forms a strong, flexible seal without sutures, promoting hemostasis and preventing infection. Tested on rat skin and liver models, it outperforms commercial glues in bond strength and biocompatibility, offering a non-invasive solution for diabetic ulcers, burns, and trauma wounds where traditional methods fail.
Key Highlights:
- Mechanism: Catechol oxidation creates covalent bonds for rapid curing (5-10 seconds) in moist environments.
- Materials: Biodegradable polymers with mussel-mimicking peptides; tunable viscosity for injection or spraying.
- Efficacy: 10x stronger adhesion than fibrin glues; full hemostasis in liver incisions; no inflammation in 7-day implants.
- Applications: Ideal for DFUs, internal bleeding, and minimally invasive surgery; scalable for clinical use.
- Future: Human trials planned; potential to reduce scarring and infection in chronic wound care.
Keywords: mussel-inspired adhesive, instant wound sealant, catechol chemistry, biocompatible glue, Technion innovation