Scientists in China have created a revolutionary bone glue to replace traditional bone healing surgeries, inspired by the oyster’s ability to attach itself to rocks and other things. Here’s how.
Oysters have a fascinating lifestyle and unique anatomy. For thousands of years, human have eaten them, used their shells as currency. They can change their gender and acquire different, unique flavours, textures and shapes according to their specific environment.
Even their healing mechanism are different from other animals’ healing mechanisms. They heal by depositing a layer of protective nacre (mother of pearl) around their irritating area, for example, if a particle of sand enters their soft body, it deposits a layer of nacre around the sand particle.
For many years, scientists have been studying these different properties of oysters to use them as a medical treatment for osteoporosis, arthritis, bone fractures and certain bone complaints.
Scientists in China have successfully invented a new kind of bio-adhesive called “Bone-02”, inspired by oysters. This new glue can be used to heal broken bones quickly without the need for screws, metal plates, or big surgeries.
It can be injected directly into the fracture site to increase the bone repair. It can bind bone fragments together approximately. 2-3 minutes, even if the injury is in blood-rich areas where most of the adhesives fail. It acts like an oyster’s technique to stick to underwater surfaces, since the bone environment is like that of an oyster’s environment – moist and difficult for adhesives.
Researchers were inspired by the oyster’s ability to attach to rocks, bridge pilings, or each other, even in the harsh underwater environment. This is achieved by secreting a special protein-rich adhesive known as bio-cement. This adhesive is unlike other adhesives as it can work in wet, salty and constantly moving conditions, forming a bond resistant to both erosion and pressure. They create a strong chemical interaction with surfaces and harden very fast.
This bio-adhesive has the ability to withstand significant forces. While testing, the glue was found to have a bonding strength of over 181kg. It showed a shear strength of 0.5 megapascals (MPa), showing an impressive resistance to sliding apart. It also showed 10 MPa og compressive strength, making it resistant to crushing.
It also showed biodegradability, as it gets absorbed by the body as the bone heals, which prevented the second surgery needed to remove the implants used in bone fracture surgery. While also minimising the risk of infection in case of metal hardware.
Apart from the medical properties, it is also economically feasible with lower costs compared to surgeries, especially for complex fractures (like shattered bones incidents).
Scientists have applied for a patent at both national (China) and international levels. With the use of bone glue, the headache to cure bone fractures with other metal plates and screws could be eliminated, and the healing process would be hassle-free and smooth.
