Newly Developed Elastic Gel Adhesive Closes Wounds in Seconds

    Researchers from the University of Sydney, North Eastern University in the US, and Harvard have teamed up to develop and elastic adhesive gel that quickly seals both internal and external wounds. The gel consists of a protein dubbed “MeTro,” an abbreviated term formethacryloyl-substituted tropoelastin. The research team says that the adhesive is extremely easy to use, solidifying into a gel the moment it comes into contact with tissue surfaces. Final curing is achieved through light exposure.

    Because the adhesive bonds tissues together non-invasively, it will speed healing and limit or even eliminate scarring. Researchers point out that the adhesive could have countless applications, from mending punctured lungs to healing external wounds. The researchers’ findings have been published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, and the new technology will be commercially produced by Elastagen Pty.Ltd.