Bacterial cellulose could provide new material for artificial blood vessels

Research lead

Cellulose produced by bacteria could be used for artificial blood vessels in the future as it carries a lower risk of blood clots than the synthetic materials currently used for bypass operations, according to research carried out at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Cellulose produced by the bacterium Acetobacter xylinum is strong enough to cope with blood pressure and works well with the body’s own tissue. The material also carries a lower risk of blood clots than the synthetic materials currently in use.

“There are hardly any blood clots at all with the bacterial cellulose, and the blood coagulates much more slowly than with the materials I used as a comparison,” said researcher Helen Fink. “The cellulose works very well in contact with the blood and is a very interesting alternative for artificial blood vessels.”

For more information, see the project’s page at: http://www.sahlgrenska.gu.se/english/news_and_events/news/News_Detail/Bacteria_make_the_artificial_blood_vessels_of_the_future.cid907940