In the relentless pursuit of innovation, scientists are often inspired by nature’s ingenuity. A recent study published in the journal Bioactive Materials, translated as “Active Biological Materials,” showcases a groundbreaking approach to creating long-lasting, anti-thrombotic surfaces inspired by the humble mussel. This research, led by Zeyu Du from the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Southwest Jiaotong University and the Dongguan Key Laboratory of Smart Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, could revolutionize the energy sector by enhancing the longevity and safety of blood-contacting devices.
At the heart of this innovation lies the Mytilus edulis foot protein, a substance that allows mussels to adhere to surfaces underwater. Du and his team have developed a mimic of this protein, rich in amine and clickable alkynyl groups, to create a robust coating for medical devices. “The inspiration came from nature,” Du explains. “Mussels have evolved an incredible ability to stick to surfaces in wet environments. We thought, why not use this principle to create better medical devices?”
The team’s dual-biomimetic strategy involves two key steps. First, they polymerize-deposit a chemical robust coating onto the surface using the mussel-inspired adhesion mechanism. Then, they co-graft a nitric oxide (NO)-generating enzyme and the anticoagulant heparin onto the coating. The result is a surface that mimics the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels, which is naturally resistant to blood clotting.
The implications for the energy sector are significant. Blood-contacting devices, such as artificial hearts, stents, and dialysis machines, often face issues with thrombosis, or blood clotting, which can lead to device failure and serious health complications. Du’s research offers a promising solution to this problem. “Our engineered surface achieved an impressive NO catalytic release efficiency of up to 88%,” Du reports. “Even after one month of exposure to a solution containing a NO donor, heparin retained 86% of its bioactivity.”
In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that the robust endothelium-mimicking coating substantially reduces thrombosis formation. This could lead to longer-lasting, safer devices, reducing the need for frequent replacements and improving patient outcomes.
The potential commercial impacts are vast. Companies developing blood-contacting devices could see significant cost savings and improved product performance. Moreover, this research opens the door to further innovations in biomimicry, inspiring engineers and scientists to look to nature for solutions to complex problems.
As we look to the future, Du’s work serves as a reminder of the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and the potential of nature-inspired design. “This is just the beginning,” Du says. “We’re excited to see where this research takes us and how it can improve lives.”
The energy sector, with its constant need for innovation and improvement, stands to benefit greatly from this research. As we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, nature’s wisdom serves as a guiding light, illuminating the path to a brighter, more sustainable future.