REAL LIFE NEWS: SLUG SLIME MAKES BIO-GLUE THAT COULD SAVE LIVES
by Hazed
We’re seeing a lot of stories about ways to seal up wounds – a few months ago I reported on a glue made from mussels that would close wounds without scarring: http://www.ibgames.net/fednews/2017/170528/official04.html.
Now scientists are turning to mucus secreted by slugs to create a new kind of adhesive which is incredibly strong, moves with the body, and – most importantly – sticks to wet surfaces. That’s a huge challenge. If you’ve ever tried to stick a plaster onto a wet finger then you’ll understand the importance of this discovery.
The bio-glue has been developed by a team from Harvard University, and never mind papercuts, they have used it to seal a hole in a pig’s heart. It’s been modelled on the slime produced by the Dusky Arion slug. It creates a sticky mucus as a defence against predators.
Experiments show that the bio-glue is not toxic to living tissue. In tests it appears to be three times stronger than any other medical adhesive.
The Wyss Institute at Harvard have applied for a patent for the glue. They are also working on biodegradable versions that would naturally disappear as the body heals. While many more tests are needed, they think it could become part of a surgeon’s standard equipment.
