“I am stuck on band-aid brand because band-aids stuck on me!” This jingle featured in countless Band-Aid commercials over the years advertises the wonders of Band-Aids and their ability to help external wounds. But what if there was a band-aid for internal injuries? Well, thanks to the caddis fly larva, this may be a reality someday soon. The caddis fly larva lives underwater and creates a shell to protect it during development by spinning a sticky silk that collects sand grains and other debris. Scientists are currently studying this silk production and structure in hopes of a possible application in surgical situations such as a tape-like suture. It would act like an internal band-aid or scotch tape that could be used in place of sutures and be specifically adaptable for wet areas because the larva lives underwater. So far, scientists have determined that there are phosphates used in the creation of the silk, making it unique from moth or butterfly silks. In addition, scientists have discovered that the proteins of the silk are water insoluble due to electric charges and the plus and minus orientation of those charges. Hopefully, the mysteries surrounding this shocking discovery will soon be revealed so that this technology can be utilized to make surgeries safer and more efficient.
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