As I was searching STS trends to blog about, I came across this site which talks about science issues/trends/facts or anything related to Science. I found an interesting topic related to Biotechnology and it is about Slug-inspired glue which researchers said in a literary manner "could heal a broken heart." What they actually meant to say was that this glue they have been studying could be used to heal wounds on the heart after an open heart surgery.
Doctors and other professionals found out a way to heal the heart after surgery that does not include any staples or stitches which puts life of humans at risk due to toxic materials or just aren't sticky enough to bind wounds and this is the "Slug-Inspired Glue." As we can observe, slugs emit or excrete extremely sticky adhesives that according to research work on wet surfaces. Because of that, Professionals thought of mimicking that adhesive which is sticky, water and blood proof and dries fast under UV light and biodegradable as well.
They called the adhesive Hydrophobic Light-Activated Adhesive or HLAA. They have tested it on pig's heart which is quite similar to human's heart. They were successful and actually sealed the hole on the heart but despite the success, they still need further study and tests on this matter.
Well, this project of them really interests me. They have said that it promotes faster healing and could really help a lot of people especially those newborn babies who have congenital heart defects. If this "Super glue" is quite cheaper and less risky compared to that of surgery involving stitches and other not-so-sticky heart glues, then it would be a lot of help and more convenient for all of us. I hope this matter would be publicized to a larger audience and make them be aware of it. Who knows, in few years time, it would be of help to at least one of us who became aware of it. Thumbs up to this Super Glue.
for more info on this, you can visit http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2014/01/09/slug-inspired-glue-can-heal-a-broken-heart/#.UuEZbRCwrIU
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