A new type of rubbery bioadhesive could reduce the need for sutures, especially within delicate tissues of the body, thanks to a group of scientists at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. Unlike regular adhesives, the experimental material known as “CaproGlu” doesn’t need catalyst chemicals to be added, and isn’t adversely affected by the gamma irradiation process that’s commonly used to sterilise surgical equipment.

CaproGlu is made up of an FDA-approved biodegradable polymer by the name of polycaprolactone, and an organic molecule called diazirine, which forms strong bonds when activated by ultraviolet light.While still in liquid form, CaproGlu can be applied directly to a wound or incision in wet biological tissue.

Exposure to a low dose of ultraviolet (UV) light for a few seconds then triggers it to transform into a solid, flexible rubber – it reportedly has an adhesion strength that’s three to seven times stronger than that of commercially-available bioadhesives.

In lab tests, a severed artery in a rabbit was joined back together using four stitches and a mesh wrap dipped in CaproGlu,instead of the eight stiches initially required. After seven days, the artery had completely healed and the rubber harmlessly biodegrades.

The scientists additionally noted that CaproGlu was able to gradually release a local anesthetic at a wound site within the legs of mice. They postulate that the bioadhesive could also be loaded with medications that speed the healing process and prevent infection.