26.02.2024

POSTECH researchers led by Prof. Hyung Joon Cha, alongside colleagues, introduced new personalized underwater bio-adhesive patches (CUBAP) derived from mussel adhesive proteins. This discovery improves biomedical adhesives, offering tailored internal healing solutions.

Medical adhesives are pivotal in sealing internal wounds, aiding in tissue regeneration, and securing implantable medical devices.

Image: In the middle of this excerpt of a graphic there is a human body, visualizing the function of the underwater bio-adhesive for healing inner wounds; Copyright: POSTECH

Customizable underwater bio-adhesive patches based on mussel adhesive proteins, allowing for adjustable biodegradability and stretchability.

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The CUBAP patches, formulated with mussel adhesive proteins, offer exceptional underwater adhesion while ensuring safety and biocompatibility within the human body. This new feature addresses the critical need for adhesives that can securely hold devices in place while minimizing side effects.

Tailored solutions for diverse needs

The versatility of CUBAP lies in its customization options, allowing researchers to adjust degradation time and mechanical hardness based on specific organ requirements. By combining mussel adhesive proteins with polyacrylic acid and polymethacrylic acid, researchers have crafted adhesive patches adaptable to various biological environments. Clinical evaluations are currently underway for skin closure applications, focusing on minimizing scarring.

Advancements in biomedical applications

Through meticulous research, three types of customized adhesive patches have been developed and successfully applied in animal treatments and implants. These patches demonstrate robust adhesion even in dynamic organs like the heart and bladder. Moreover, experiments have shown promising results in adjusting biodegradation times and flexibility during the transplantation of muscle regeneration electronic devices.

Towards personalized medical solutions

Prof. Cha, the lead researcher, highlights: "This research paves the way for personalized medical applications. We plan to enhance and refine the process through subsequent studies, with the goal of effective applications in diverse biomedical fields." With ongoing studies aimed at refining the process, the goal is to extend the reach of these adhesives across diverse biomedical fields. Senior Researcher Hwa Hui Shin from K-MEDI Hub emphasizes: "Our study has confirmed the effectiveness and versatility of the developed bio-adhesive patches. We look forward to their evolving into commercial products, meeting the demands of the healthcare sector."
This research received support from the Mid-Career Research Program, Young Research Program, and Nano Material Technology Development Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea.

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: POSTECH - Pohang University of Science and Technology

More about POSTECH at: www.postech.ac.kr