Snake-venom-derived 'super glue' that stops bleeding in seconds using visible light

An international research team designed a body tissue adhesive that incorporates the special enzyme called reptilase (reptilase: found in the venom of lancehead snakes Bothrops atrox) into a modified gelatine that can be packaged into a small tube for easy, and potentially life-saving, application.

This 'super glue' can be applied by simply squeezing the tube and shining a visible light, such as a laser pointer, over it for few seconds. Even a smartphone flashlight will do the job.

Compared to clinical fibrin glue, considered the industry gold standard for clinical and field surgeons, the new tissue sealant has 10 times the adhesive strength to resist detachment or washout due to bleeding. The blood clotting time is also much shorter, cutting it in half from 90 seconds for fibrin glue to 45 seconds for the new snake venom "super glue."

This new biotechnology translates to less blood loss and more life-saving. The super-sealant was tested in models for deep skin cuts, ruptured aortae, and severely injured livers—all considered as major bleeding situations.

The 'super glue' will be used in saving lives on the battlefield, or other accidental traumas like car crashes.