Russell Stewart, Biomedical Engineering’s Emeritus faculty, has dedicated many years to the study of aquatic bugs and the water-resistant, bioadhesive material they produce. Species, such as the Caddisflies, have evolved to be able to form protective cases and webs in freshwater streams. By studying this phenomenon, researchers hope to replicate the chemical model by creating a synthetic version for medical applications in the human body.
Stewart, along with BYU’s evolutionary biologist, Paul Frandsen, have formed a study involving18 different species of Caddisflies from American Fork and Diamond Fork canyons in the Wasatch Mountains. This study was published in Molecular Biology and Evolution, under the title of “On the dynamic caddisfly silk H-fibroin gene: a population study in a net-spinning species.” This study will be crucial in the development of biosynthetic versions of Caddisfly silk for advancements in medicine.
Stewart’s co-founded startup, Fluidx Medical Technology, has already created an embolic agent based on a synthetic version of sandcastle worm glue, another entirely unique insect species capable of forming adhesives underwater. This product works to cut off blood flow to a specific spot by forming targeted embolisms and has cleared clinical trials awaiting approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
Read the University’s Article to learn more about this study and the fascinating capabilities of Utah’s Caddisfly population.
