IISER Bhopal's biomedical adhesive to bind bones

Bhopal Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER)-Bhopal have developed a clear, synthetic biomedical adhesive that can effectively seal and repair injured and dissected tissues. The biodegradable and biocompatible adhesive is capable of binding different surfaces such as tissues, bones, eggshells, and wood in both air and underwater and requires no additional crosslinking agents or metal ions.

"Biomedical adhesives are bonding and sealing materials that provide support and cohesion to repair tissues and are extensively used in medicine. Suitable materials for these adhesives can be found in nature and are commonly secreted by underwater organisms such as sandcastle worms and mussels," said Aasheesh Srivastava, Faculty, Department of Chemistry, IISER Bhopal, in a statement. Previous biomimetic adhesives made from natural polymers such as fibrin, collagen, gelatin, and chitosan, have a risk of triggering immunological reactions, and may not always be useful in cosmetics and surface tissue adhesion applications. These are also not transparent and can have different colours, which may affect the aesthetic value.

The new adhesive, detailed in a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Chemistry, was developed using a mixture of oppositely-charged water-soluble polyelectrolytes that are known for their biodegradability and biocompatibility.

"These polymers have multiple amide groups and thiol residues that lead to strong adhesion due to the formation of hydrogen bonds and disulfide bonds. The resulting adhesive layer is colourless and transparent," Srivastava said.

To test their binding capabilities, three different formulations were developed and applied directly to various pressed substrates to achieve adherence.