Scientists at the Universities of Manitoba, Shantou, and Western Ontario, have figured out how to save lives using snake venom. They have developed a novel snake venom-based “super glue” that can stop bleeding within seconds after activation with light. During a traumatic injury or surgery, quickly halting bleeding is critical, as it can save someone’s life.
The active ingredient in the glue is batroxobin (also called reptilase), a blood-clotting enzyme from the venom of lancehead snakes. The scientists combined batroxobin into modified gelatin to make the surgical glue. It seals up quickly when exposed to bright light and is “blood-resistant,” so it won’t wash off in the flow.
Prof. Kibret Mequanint, the study’s lead author, explained:
During trauma, injury, and emergency bleeding, this ‘super glue’ can be applied by simply squeezing the tube and shining a visible light, such as a laser pointer, over it for few seconds. Even a smartphone flashlight will do the job.
The team tested the substance in lab rats with deep skin cuts, liver injuries, and ruptured aortas and were able to seal the wounds within 45 seconds, reducing blood loss by approximately 78%. In addition, the team claims adhesive strength to be ten times stronger than fibrin glue, which is currently widespread worldwide.
The new snake venom ‘super glue’ could be used by first responders, soldiers on the battlefield, by doctors during surgery instead of requiring sutures, or packaged into a small tube for first aid kits. However, there’s still much work to be completed before that vision can come to pass. The findings were published on July 14, 2021, in the journal Science Advances.
