Tag

Biomaterials

All articles tagged with #biomaterials

science12 days ago•14 min saved

Hagfish Slime Sparks a Sustainable Materials Revolution

Hagfish slime rapidly expands into a dense gel when seawater is present, using ultra-thin protein threads that self-assemble into a fibrous network and can clog predators’ gills in seconds. Produced at room temperature in seawater with no toxic byproducts, this slime is inspiring researchers to develop sustainable biomaterials—self-assembling fibers that could rival spider silk. Scientists aim to isolate the slime proteins’ genes for production in microbes, but scaling, control of assembly, and durability remain key hurdles.

via A-Z Animals|

#bioengineering #biomaterials #hagfish

science29 days ago•5 min saved

Tiny Madagascar Spider Weaves 80-Foot Webs with Kevlar-Tough Silk

A tiny Darwin’s bark spider in Madagascar builds webs spanning rivers up to 80 feet long, using dragline silk that absorbs energy far better than Kevlar—about ten times tougher—setting a new benchmark for natural materials and prompting questions about the silk’s molecular basis.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#biomaterials #kevlar #madagascar

health3 months ago•5 min saved

Protein Associated with Cancer Also Crucial for Wound Healing

ASU researchers discovered that the protein SerpinB3, previously linked to cancer, also plays a crucial role in natural wound healing by activating skin cells and guiding tissue repair, opening new possibilities for treating hard-to-heal wounds and understanding its role in diseases.

via Medical Xpress|

#asu-research #biomaterials #cancer

health3 months ago•4 min saved

Innovative Heart Patch Promises Improved Recovery Post-Heart Attack

MIT engineers have developed a flexible, programmable drug-delivery patch that can be applied to the heart after a heart attack to promote tissue healing and regeneration, showing promising results in rat studies by reducing damaged tissue and improving heart function. If approved for humans, it could significantly enhance recovery outcomes for heart attack patients.

via MIT News|

#biomaterials #cardiac-tissue-regeneration #drug-delivery-patch

medical-technology4 months ago•3 min saved

Tiny 3D Bioprinter Revolutionizes Vocal Cord Repair

Researchers have developed the world's smallest 3D bioprinter, inspired by an elephant's trunk, capable of delivering healing hydrogels through a surgical scope to aid in vocal cord repair, potentially improving outcomes for patients post-surgery.

via Nature|

#biomaterials #bioprinter #hydrogels

environment4 months ago•5 min saved

Mushrooms: The Next Generation of Eco-Friendly Insulation

Scientists in Alaska are developing a new insulation material made from mycelium, the fungal network beneath mushrooms, to provide a sustainable, biodegradable alternative to plastic foam for housing in extreme climates, addressing environmental concerns and housing needs in the face of climate change.

via The Washington Post|

#alaska #biomaterials #environment

science4 months ago•2 min saved

Edible Fungus Offers Eco-Friendly Waterproofing for Paper and Fabric

Researchers have developed a natural, edible fungal coating using Trametes versicolor that can make paper, fabric, and wood water-, oil-, and grease-resistant, offering a sustainable alternative to plastic coatings and reducing environmental waste.

via Phys.org|

#biomaterials #environment #fungus

health7 months ago•4 min saved

3D-Printed Electroconductive Implants Show Promise for Spinal Cord Repair

Scientists have developed a 3D-printed, electrically conductive implant that mimics the spinal cord's structure to promote nerve regeneration, showing promise for treating spinal injuries and potentially other neurological conditions.

via Neuroscience News|

#3d-printing #biomaterials #electrical-stimulation

science8 months ago•4 min saved

Self-Replicating Creature with 3D-Printing Abilities

A study reveals that bristle worms can produce their body parts through a process similar to 3D printing, with their cells acting like tiny printers depositing chitin to form structures like bristles and teeth, which could inspire new medical materials and regenerative therapies.

via National Geographic|

#3d-printing #biomaterials #bristle-worms

science9 months ago•3 min saved

Scientists Create First Genetically Modified Spider That Spins Glowing Red Silk

Scientists in Germany used CRISPR-Cas9 to genetically modify a common house spider to produce red fluorescent silk, marking the first successful application of gene editing in spiders and opening new possibilities for custom biomaterials.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#biomaterials #crispr #genetic-modification

science9 months ago•4 min saved

First Genetically Modified Spider Spins Glowing Red Silk

Researchers in Germany have successfully used CRISPR-Cas9 to create the world's first genetically modified spider that produces fluorescent red silk, opening new possibilities for advanced materials and biomedical applications, despite the challenges of working with arachnids.

via Stewartville Star|

#biomaterials #biomedical-applications #crispr-cas9

science1 year ago•4 min saved

Scientists Craft Ultra-Thin Spaghetti, 200x Finer Than Hair

A research team led by UCL has created the world's thinnest spaghetti, measuring just 372 nanometers across, using a technique called electrospinning. This 'nanopasta' is not intended for consumption but has potential applications in medicine and industry, such as wound healing and drug delivery, due to its porous nature. The process uses starch-rich flour, offering a more sustainable method than traditional starch extraction. The study highlights the potential of starch nanofibers as biodegradable and renewable materials.

via EurekAlert|

#biomaterials #chemistry #innovation

science-and-technology1 year ago•2 min saved

Blood Transformed into Bone-Healing Material for Personalized Implants

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a 'biocooperative' material using blood and peptide molecules to enhance tissue regeneration, potentially leading to personalized, 3D-printed implants. This innovative approach leverages the natural healing processes of blood to create regenerative materials that can repair bones and other tissues. The method involves mixing synthetic peptides with a patient's blood to form a material that mimics and enhances the natural regenerative hematoma, offering a promising new avenue for regenerative medicine.

via Phys.org|

#3d-printing #biomaterials #blood

science-and-technology1 year ago•2 min saved

Innovative Cellulose Technologies Pave Way for Sustainable Material Solutions

Researchers have developed a sustainable hydrophobic paper using cellulose nanofibers and peptide sequences, offering a potential alternative to petroleum-based products. This innovative material, created through a supramolecular approach, enhances mechanical strength and water resistance without chemically altering the cellulose. The study, conducted by a team from Politecnico di Milano and collaborators, highlights the material's suitability for packaging and biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility and environmental benefits.

via Phys.org|

#biomaterials #cellulose #nanotechnology

healthscience1 year ago•3 min saved

"Pollen: A Sustainable Solution for Bone Regeneration"

A study has demonstrated the potential of using pollen grains as green templates for producing biomaterials, particularly hydroxyapatite (HAp) and β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP), which are used for bone repair. The study explored the feasibility of using pollen grains as bio-templates for growing calcium phosphate minerals in the lab, resulting in well-defined spherical hollow capsules derived from pollen. These hollow structures have potential in drug delivery and bone regeneration applications, and further experiments are needed to explore their use in enhancing bone integration and regeneration around implants.

via Phys.org|

#biomaterials #bone-regeneration #healthscience