Marine worm inspires new glue to heal bones

An inch-long marine worm has inspired researchers to develop a new adhesive that can be used to repair shattered bones. The inch-long sandcastle worm secretes a durable, biodegradable glue that is impervious to water in order to cement sand and shell particles into its home. The same approach may one day eliminate the need for the wires and screws used to repair bones today.

"We recognized that the mechanism used by the sandcastle worm is really a perfect vehicle for producing an underwater adhesive," said Dr. Russell Stewart of the University of Utah. "This glue, just like the worm's glue, is a fluid material that, although it doesn't mix with water, is water soluble."

The scientific team is also looking at including drugs in the glue which could be used to accelerate the healing process.

- read the story from the Press Association