Artificial collagen naturally heals wounds

The new type of collagen developed by scientists at Rice University can help heal wounds by directly clotting blood. This is the result of biochemist and biochemist Jeffrey Hartgerink and colleagues at the Biological Science Laboratory after years of research.

A large blood clot has coagulated when exposed to the new artificial collagen.(Photo: Rice University)

Accordingly, the biological material called KOD mimics the activity of natural collagen - a protein in the body that connects cells together into tissues and organs. It is made up of 36 amino acids capable of assembling into nanofibre structures and hydrogels.

Laboratory tests show that KOD holds red blood cells (blood cells) to prevent bleeding. At the same time, it binds and activates platelets to form blood clots that stimulate wound healing. In particular, KOD does not cause any symptoms of infection.

From the results, the team believes that artificial collagen may work better than natural collagen-based hemostatic therapies extracted from pigs or cows that are currently used to assist in the healing process during and after surgery. art.