A remarkable compound has been developed by researchers from MIT and Hong Kong University – a simple, clear, biodegradable gel that stops bleeding in less than 15 seconds. It doesn’t require a dry surface to work, is non-toxic and promotes tissue repair. When applied to a wound the gel spontaneously self-assembles into a scaffold-like, three dimensional network of nanofibres. This may help form a physical barrier that seals over the wound, though at this time the exact mechanism behind the compound’s properties is still unclear.
The same researchers also used a similar liquid to partially restore sight in blind hamsters with severed optical nerve tracts. The liquid enabled brain nerves to regrow, using the self-assembled nanofibres as a scaffold. Normally, scar tissue prevents such regeneration.
Although the gel has only been tested on rodents and it isn’t certain that it will work in humans, its potential applications in emergency rooms, surgeries and even on the battlefield are significant.
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