TR10: Nanohealing
Summary posted by Meridian on 3/12/2007
Source: MIT Technology Review
Author: Kevin Bullis
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the U.S. have developed a material made of nanoscale protein fragments called peptides that self-assemble into a fibrous mesh when applied inside the body to stop bleeding almost instantaneously. The material reportedly also provides an environment that speeds the healing of brain and spinal tissue damage. The researchers report that in experiments involving blind hamsters, the material allowed "neurons in a vision-related tract of the brain to grow across a lesion and reestablish connections with neurons on the other side, restoring the hamster's sight." The article says that the material can be broken down completely by the body within a few weeks, unlike some blood-stanching agents that need to be removed. It also has a long shelf life that can be useful for first-aid kits. The researchers caution that further testing on the material is needed. The article can be viewed online at the link below.
The original article may still be available at www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=18290&ch=nanotech
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