Scientists in Australia developed a primordial goo coating which they said can be used to enhance the body's acceptance of medical implants and devices.
This primordial goo contains molecules called prebiotic compounds which can be dated back to billions of years ago. These compounds, discovered decades ago, have been studied intensively by scientists. They believe these are the same components in which life on Earth began.
In a study published in the journal Asia Material, experts from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) discovered a way in which these prebiotic compounds could be used in medical treatment.
Hundreds and thousands of people receive medical implants such as pacemakers, catheters and bone replacements. Researchers said there is a lot to consider before implanting these devices on the human body, especially because the body is a complex system.
One of the challenges that doctors face is when the body rejects the medical implant. The coatings on implants are vital to help medical devices perform their job, researchers said.
Dr. Richard Evans, lead researcher of the study, explained that they wanted to see if the prehistoric molecules could have a practical application in chemistry.
The research found that the primordial goo is bio-friendly. Cells easily grow and colonize the coatings. The primordial goo can be applied to medical implants to enhance their performance.
The discovery can help a wide range of medical procedures, especially because the non-toxic coating is adhesive and will coat almost any material, Evans said.
Evans and his colleagues also tried to add silver compounds into the coating as to produce an antibacterial effect that can be used in catheters to avoid infections.
Evans said other compounds can be added to medical implants to make them more durable, reduce friction and increase their resistance to wear. Their biomedical coating can also be produced at a lower cost compared to previous methods.
"This research opens the door to a host of new biomedical possibilities that are still yet to be explored," added Evans.
Meanwhile, CSIRO is seeking to partner with a biomedical manufacturer to find further applications for their discovery. The coating may soon be mass produced, they added.
Photo : Sadasiv Swain | Flickr
