Snake Venom-Infused Hydrogel Stops Bleeding in Seconds

Oct-29-15 Researchers have created a hydrogel infused with snake venom that can stop bleeding within six seconds, offering an alternative to current drug-based methods.

Developed by a team from Rice University, the nanofiber hydrogel (called SB50) has been infused with batroxobin, a venom with blood clotting abilities found in two species of South African pit vipers. When the hydrogel was injected into the wound as a liquid, it quickly thickened into a gel that halted the bleeding within seconds. Even gentle prodding at the wound site did not cause the wound to re-open.

The team thinks the gel could be most useful to help stop surgical bleeding, especially in cases where the patient is taking anti-coagulants.

Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University
Hartgerink (left) and his team developed a nanofiber hydrogel that features batroxobin as part of the mix.

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[DISCOVERY.COM]
[NEWS.RICE.EDU]

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