Hydrophobically Modified Chitosan for Wound Healing

In Professor Raghavan's research lab at University of Maryland College Park, a new type of bandage is being developed that could significantly improve clotting time.  

Comparison of time to form a clot with various solutions

 
This bandage is made from hm-chitosan.  Hm-chitosan is another name for hydrophobically modified chitosan, a biopolymer found in organisms like crabs or shrimp.  A biopolymer is a polymer found naturally in organisms.  A polymer is a chemical which is composed of repeating parts, called monomers.  It is being used because it is cheap, easy to obtain, and biodegradable, meaning that in a living organism, it degrades into chemicals that are harmless.  It also prevents the growth of microorganisms. 

Introduction to Hydrophobically modified chitosan

Hm-chitosan is made from chitosan by reacting it with hydrophobic chemicals.  After this process, we say that it has been functionalized.  By adding hydrophobic components, the chemical is more attracted to the hydrophobic components of the body, which improves the clotting ability.  When hm-chitosan comes in contact with an open wound, a network is created with links between the hm-chitosan and cells of the body forming a clot/scab.  The body will form a clot by itself, but this may take much longer.  We say that hm-chitosan has the ability to gel blood. 

Gel formation using hydrophobically modified chitosan

 


In the future, bandages made out of hm-chitosan will hopefully be available to stop bleeding in any emergency situations like in the emergency room, or on the battlefield. 

Possible Applications