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Tough Stuff
15 September 2017

Tough Stuff

The latest drug delivery methods use slow-release materials that gradually dispense treatments inside the body. Hydrogels are good candidates for this approach: soft materials that can be swallowed in a dehydrated form but swell up in the stomach and slowly release drugs over a long period of time. But the stomach is a tough place to be, with high levels of acidity and constant churning, and many hydrogels quickly break down under these conditions. The material shown here, squeezed into a balloon by a researcher’s hand, is a new alternative. It’s tougher than other hydrogels, so it can withstand the harsh environment of the stomach, yet can be easily triggered to break down completely if something goes wrong and it needs removing quickly. Tests have shown that the new hydrogel can stay in the stomach of a pig for at least a week, proving its potential for further development.

Written by Kat Arney

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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