A Biomaterial: “a natural or synthetic material…that is suitable for introduction into living tissue” (Merriam Webster). Although correct, this definition does not convey the significance biomaterials have in the medical world. Not only can scientists use existing materials to solve problems in the body, but they can develop entirely new substances to address these issues. Biomaterials are on track to drive future advancements in medicine and revolutionize all other facets of our society.
Contrastingly, original biomaterials scientists tried to find existing, non-biological, substitutes for existing structures. These substitutes had to be biocompatible, aiming to disturb the body as little as possible. For example, the first prototype of an artificial heart was made from a women’s girdle. Although the prototype could function well in a lab setting, the material was not ideal for being inside the body. The scientists needed a material that could have the elasticity and stretchiness of a heart, but could also work efficiently (without causing problems such as blood clotting). The concept of developing new materials for biological use was a novel idea in the medical field, requiring knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. As Biomaterials are so interdisciplinary, the domain necessitates a cohesive concept”, “…a common thread that binds this field together. It focuses on the term ‘inspiration’” (Aksay and Weiner). Inspiration from biological systems is what drives the biomaterials field, but what pushes the boundaries is taking our existing knowledge and creating completely new designs that haven’t been seen before.
Biomaterials have the power to change the world, and in many ways, already have. For example, the concept of localized chemotherapy was nowhere near an achievable goal until Robert Langer’s lab developed polymer wafers that could hold drugs and dispense them over a designated period of time. The problem they tackled was that brain cancers required heavy treatment, but full-body chemotherapy was incredibly taxing on the patient and often ineffective. With this task in mind, the lab designed a family of polymers that disintegrated evenly over time (surface erosion), as opposed to standard disintegration (bulk erosion) which could be lethal to the patient. By changing the chemistry of the specific polymer, they could change the amount of time it lasted, thereby deciding how long the drug would be slowly administered in the brain. Langer’s invention was not only the first treatment for brain cancer to be approved by the FDA in 20 years but the first instance of localized chemotherapy to be approved at all.
Biomaterials play an integral role in medicine today and will continue to play a bigger role in the future. Their interdisciplinary-ness lends biomaterials to limitless applications and plenty of room for future innovation. Some cool projects currently in the works include:
- New lung patches used to regenerate and heal damaged tissue
- Smart wound dressings to treat diabetic ulcers by delivering oxygen while monitoring healing
- Bio-absorbable zinc stents to keep blood vessels open
- Self-sufficient power supplies for implanted biomedical devices
References
Aksay, Ilhan A., and Steve Weiner. “Biomaterials: Is this really a field of research?” Current Opinion in Solid State & Materials Science, 1998, pp. 219-20. pdf.
“Biomaterial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biomaterial. Accessed 2 Feb. 2023.
“Biomaterials.” National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.nibib.nih.gov/science-education/science-topics/biomaterials.
Langer, Robert. “Biomaterials for the 21st Century.” TEDxBigApple, 2 Mar. 2012, New York City. Lecture.
Pain, Elisabeth. “Careers in Biomaterials Science—an Overview.” AAAS Articles DO Group, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.caredit.a1200127.
