A new protein-based gel that, when exposed to light, mimics many of the properties of elastic tissue, such as skin and blood vessels
A team of bioengineers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), led by Ali Khademhosseini, PhD, and Nasim Annabi, PhD, of the Biomedical Engineering Division, has developed a new protein-based gel that, when exposed to light, mimics many of the properties of elastic tissue, such as skin and blood vessels. In a paper published in Advanced Functional Materials, the research team reports on the new material’s key properties, many of which can be finely tuned, and on the results of using the material in preclinical models of wound healing.
“We are very interested in engineering strong, elastic materials from proteins because so many of the tissues within the human body are elastic. If we want to use biomaterials to regenerate those tissues, we need elasticity and flexibility,” said Annabi, a co-senior author of the study. “Our hydrogel is very flexible, made from a biocompatible polypeptide and can be activated using light.”
“Hydrogels – jelly-like materials that can mimic the properties of human tissue – are widely used in biomedicine, but currently available materials have limitations. Some synthetic gels degrade into toxic chemicals over time, and some natural gels are not strong enough to withstand the flow of arterial blood through them,” said Khademhosseini.
The new material, known as a photocrosslinkable elastin-like polypeptide-based (ELP) hydrogel, offers several benefits. This elastic hydrogel is formed by using a light-activated polypeptide. When exposed to light, strong bonds form between the molecules of the gel, providing mechanical stability without the need for any chemical modifiers to be added to the material.
The team reports that ELP hydrogel can be digested overtime by naturally-occurring enzymes and does not appear to have toxic effects when tested with living cells in the lab. The team also found that they could control how much the material swelled as well its strength, finding that the ELP hydrogel could withstand more stretching than experienced by arterial tissue in the body.
“Our hydrogel has many applications: it could be used as a scaffold to grow cells or it can be incorporated with cells in a dish and then injected to stimulate tissue growth,” said Annabi. “In addition, the material can be used as a sealant, sticking to the tissue at the site of injury and creating a barrier over a wound.”
The researchers found that it was possible to combine the gel with silica nanoparticles – microscopic particles previously found to stop bleeding – to develop an even more powerful barrier to promote wound healing.
“This could allow us to immediately stop bleeding with one treatment,” said Annabi. “We see great potential for use in the clinic. Our method is simple, the material is biocompatible, and we hope to see it solve clinical problems in the future.”
Read more: Elastic Gel to Heal Wounds
The Latest on: Wound healing
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Wound healing” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Wound healing
- A Journey To Preventing Limb Loss With Collagen Wound Careon April 29, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Explore how Human BioSciences' collagen products revolutionize wound care and help prevent limb loss, aligning with World Health Day and Limb Loss Awareness Month objectives.
- How to Reclaim Intimacy in Romantic Relationships Through Somatic Healingon April 29, 2024 at 12:53 pm
Somatic healing takes a body-first approach. There’s a fundamental belief that the body and mind are inextricably influenced by the other, and by paying attention to the perception of the body, that ...
- Global Chronic Wound Care Industryon April 29, 2024 at 6:27 am
Global Chronic Wound Care Industry is expected to reach US$ 25,042.5 million at CAGR of 3.8% during forecast period 2023 to 2033 ...
- No Antibiotics Needed – Revolutionary Chronic Wound Treatment Could Help Millionson April 28, 2024 at 1:29 am
An international team of scientists has developed a new treatment for chronic wounds that uses ionized gas to activate a wound dressing, without the need for antibiotics. The treatment involves the pl ...
- West Tennessee Healthcare opens new wound clinic in Jacksonon April 25, 2024 at 7:34 am
West Tennessee Healthcare held a ribbon cutting today celebrating its new location of the Wound Healing Center in West Jackson.
- AI smartphones may soon help monitor chronic wounds from homeon April 24, 2024 at 5:00 pm
The goal is to empower patients by giving them free, usable technology they can download that will provide exact measurements on how the wound is healing — and keep them out of the hospital. “Chronic ...
- Puppy recovers from gunshot wound — and is ready for his next chapter. Meet Biscuiton April 23, 2024 at 3:17 pm
UPDATE: Biscuit was adopted, according to the Animal Rescue League of Boston. “His new family is aware of what he has endured in his young life and will be sure to have the patience and give him the ...
- Stem Cell Magic: Scientists Unveil New Superhero for Healing Diabetes Woundson April 23, 2024 at 10:13 am
Researchers unveiled a novel therapy for diabetic wound healing. The new research highlights the use of exosomal miR-4645-5p from hypoxic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to significantly ...
- Premier Health recognized for excellence in wound healingon April 19, 2024 at 10:52 am
The Wound Care Center and Hyperbaric Services at three Premier Health hospitals – Atrium Medical Center, Miami Valley Hospital South, and Upper Valley Medical Center – have been recognized with ...
- Scabs: Nature's Ugly Healing Process We Loveon April 18, 2024 at 5:06 am
Scabs may not be the most glamorous look, but they're actually superheroes in disguise! They shield your wounds from nasty germs and give your skin the chance to make a miraculous comeback. But be ...
via Bing News