The field of orthopedic surgery is on the verge of a significant transformation driven by an unlikely source — the common oyster. Oysters possess the remarkable ability to adhere to submerged structures, such as rocks and bridges, or even on top of one another, forming reef-like structures that resemble underwater cities. This capability is powered by a secreted adhesive known as bio-cement, which provides an ideal blueprint for new medical materials. A team of Chinese researchers set out to replicate this design in the lab. Drawing inspiration from bio-cement, they developed “Bone-02,” a glue capable of repairing broken bones within minutes. Unlike traditional metal plates, screws, or surgical procedures, Bone-02 can be injected directly into a fracture site to fuse fragments, proving to be a major step toward speeding up recovery.

The innovation of Bone-02 lies in its mimicry of nature’s most effective underwater adhesive. While ordinary glue tends to fail in wet and salty environments, the oyster’s bio-cement glue is able to form a rigid bond that resists erosion and pressure. Chinese researchers who studied this phenomenon discovered that this is due to an interaction between the oyster and the surfaces to which it is attached. They then reasoned that fractured bones could potentially be healed using a similar process. By translating these findings to apply to the human body, they designed this glue to set securely within the body’s internal blood-rich environment.

This oyster-inspired development is a transformative discovery that promises to accelerate treatments, reduce invasiveness, and redefine the future landscape of orthopedic surgery.

The properties of Bone-02 are truly extraordinary. Not only does it have the strength to bond over 400 pounds — the weight of a large gorilla — but it also has a powerful frictional resistance and compressive strength. Bone-02 possesses a compressive strength of 10 megapascals and a shear strength of 0.5 megapascals, making it resistant to crushing and fragments potentially sliding apart. To put this into perspective, 0.5 megapascals is equal to the water pressure of a very strong shower. Imagine how strong 10 megapascals must be! The glue is also biodegradable, allowing the body to naturally absorb the material as the bone heals.

The new glue can be injected directly into a site to bond fragments together in a mere two to three minutes. This speed holds the key to reducing surgical procedures from hours to just minutes. As a broken bone attempts to heal naturally, the body absorbs the glue. This eliminates the need for a second surgery, which is often done to patients to remove any implants, and in turn significantly lowers costs and risks to patients. Early tests have proven to be safe and effective, minimizing the need to perform surgeries and consequently lowering infection risks.

Beyond the field of orthopedics, this new development could transform procedures and be applied to various other medical specialties. In dental surgery, bone glue could become a useful tool in repairing jaw fractures or stabilizing dental implants. Fast fracture stabilization could also be critical in emergencies, such as battlefield or natural disaster scenarios. Additionally, this material can be used for vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, as the bone glue’s minimally invasive nature can provide a safer and effective treatment without the risk of infection. This oyster-inspired development is a transformative discovery that has potential to accelerate treatments, reduce invasiveness, and redefine the future landscape of orthopedic surgery.