The next time you go in for operating room , you might fall out thanking a crab . New researchfrom the Harvard Wyss Institute shows that chitosan , which is a fancy term for crustacean goo , can be used as a biodegradable glue to heal wounds and piece surgical incisions .
Scientists have been putter with chitosan , which is derived from the molecule chitin found in the crunchy shells of crustaceans and insect , on and off several year . In 2014 , Harvard bioengineers Donald Ingber and Javier Fernandez get “ Shrilk , ” a chitosan - found charge card backup that ’s non - toxic and fully - degradable . That same class , engineer in Oregon built a gimmick thatseals gunfire wounds in 15 secondsusing a blood - clotting , chitosan - coated sponge .
https://gizmodo.com/this-simple-invention-seals-gunshot-wounds-in-15-second-1515835861
Now , Ingber and Fernandez are twist their attention to chitosan ’s proven medical properties to develop patches and sprays that can be used to fix up a broken body .
In a new subject field published in the diary Tissue Engineering , the squad shows how chitosan , when mixed with an off - the - ledge enzyme call transglutaminase ( TG ) , in effect seal puncture wound in pig intestines and lung . To regale even larger injuries , the team formulated a chitosan - base foam that seals a wound cavity and keeps it clean ( chitosan also has anti - microbic properties ) until the patient can be moved to a infirmary .
“ Right now our glide slope is very ecumenical , but we could theoretically take this concept and adapt it into almost any form imaginable for a wide phone number of possible uses , ” Fernandez said in a statement .
In other words , in a few years physician may be using chitosan all over the place , from tooth extractions to spread fondness operating theatre . Lives saved and wounding cure , all thanks to a little crab ooze .
[ Tissue EngineeringviaHarvard Wyss Institute ]
MedicineScience
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