A Nature-inspired Wound Glue

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) were searching for a better way to quickly seal wounds in critical lifesaving situations. They looked to an unusual place for inspiration: barnacles, the small sea creatures that attach firmly to rocks, ship hulls, and other wet, dirty surfaces. By mimicking the properties of the barnacles’ sticky proteins, the team created a biocompatible glue that can adhere to human tissues even when covered in blood, forming a seal within 15 seconds. This is far faster than the several minutes it takes for sutures or patches with blood-clotting features to do the same. After some more study, the product should be available around the world for first responders facing emergency situations.