Improving implants with primordial goo
CSIRO has used molecules from primordial goo, thought to have been home to the building blocks of life, to develop a coating that could be used to improve medical devices and implants.
The molecules, known as prebiotic compounds, can be traced back billions of years, and were supposedly powerful enough to have assisted in the evolution of life on Earth. CSIRO scientists therefore wondered how they could be used practically to solve a real-world problem — specifically, how to assist with medical implants.
“The human body is a complex system, so there is a lot to consider when implanting artificial parts,” said Dr Richard Evans, the lead researcher of the recent study.
“Reducing the likelihood of infection and ensuring the body doesn’t reject implants are ongoing medical challenges.
“That’s why coatings on these implants are needed to help them to do their job.”
Writing in the journal NPG Asia Materials, Dr Evans and his team explained that they created a version of primordial goo which could be used to form a coating. With the addition of some other molecules, this coating could be applied to medical devices.
The coating was found to be bio-friendly, enabling cells to readily grow and colonise it. As explained by Dr Evans, “The non-toxic coating is adhesive and will coat almost any material, making its potential biomedical applications really broad.”
The researchers have also experimented with adding silver compounds to the coating in order to produce an antibacterial version that can be used on devices such as catheters to avoid infections. Dr Evans suggested, “Other compounds can also be added to implants to reduce friction, make them more durable and resistant to wear.”
The scientists’ coating process is said to be cheaper and easier than current biomedical coatings, using methods and substances that are readily available. This means biomedical manufacturers can produce improved results more cost-effectively.
CSIRO is currently seeking to partner with biomedical manufacturers to exploit this technology.
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