Collagen - an untapped resource in our bodies?
The shortage of donated corneas increases the need for alternative treatments for eye diseases, with natural collagen materials now showing potential for use. Photo: Shutterstock
New research on biomaterials offers hope for repairing the cornea and strengthening orthopedic implants using natural collagen and hyaluronic acid. In UppTalk, Ayan Samanta, a researcher in macromolecular chemistry, explains how he made a promising medical discovery by coincidence.
Ayan Samanta, researcher in macromolecular chemistry. Photo: Private
Watch the episode: Collagen - a natural glue to repair our bodies?
What happens if you walk into the lab one day without wearing gloves? Perhaps what happened to Ayan Samanta. One morning in the Ångström Laboratory, he accidentally picked up a sample of collagen gel and found it stuck to his fingertips.
“To my great surprise, my PhD student and I discovered that the gel was as sticky as fibrin glue, a material that doctors today regularly use during surgery.”
When they later tested their gel in a corneal perforation model, they were surprised to find that the collagen gel could seal a hole faster than fibrin glue. The results also showed that the gel adhered well to the eyeball and could withstand a pressure far higher than normal eye pressure.
Now Ayan Samanta and his team are preparing for new tests on potential treatments for eye diseases and reinforcement of bone implants, based on natural polymers such as collagen and hyaluronic acid.
Anneli Björkman
UppTalk
UppTalk is a popular science seminar series via Zoom where you get to enjoy interesting conversations with researchers from Uppsala University. The seminars revolve around socially relevant topics and are broadcast live from Uppsala University's Studio Blåsenhus. All talks are recorded and can be accessed afterwards via Uppsala University's YouTube channel and on the UppTalk website.
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UppTalk episode Collagen - a natural glue to repair our bodies?
UppTalk
UppTalk on Uppsala University's YouTube channel
Research within macromolecular chemistry at Uppsala University