To tackle this challenge, researchers at POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology) have developed a composite bioabsorbable hemostatic sponge that can rapidly halt bleeding inside the body. The study is published in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials.

Conventional hemostatic agents often fail to adhere firmly to the bleeding site or remain in the body without degrading, which can cause secondary complications.

To address this, the research team combined mussel adhesive protein with decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) to develop a composite hemostatic sponge that offers both strong tissue adhesion and biocompatible biodegradability.