Researchers at Waterloo Engineering have created a new gel material, inspired by sea cucumbers, that could help heal soft-tissue injuries by providing a structure for cells to naturally regenerate within.
The moist, flexible hydrogel, the product of almost four years of research, was engineered so its mechanical properties can be tailored to work with a range of tissues including tendons, brains, muscles, organs, cartilage and skin.
“Soft tissues don’t all require the same scaffold,” said Dr. Yimin Wu, a mechanical engineering professor. “A material placed near the soft brain must behave differently than one used to repair a hard tendon.”
The research team also included Dr. Youchao Teng, who led the project under Wu’s supervision, and Waterloo engineering professors Dr. Zhao Pan and Michael K.C. Tham.
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