What are Biomaterials?

Research into repairing so-called “permanent” nerve damage is advancing through new classes of injectable biomaterials designed to support regeneration rather than simply manage symptoms. Teams at MIT, including researchers led by Professor Xuanhe Zhao, have been developing advanced hydrogels and bioadhesive materials aimed at improving peripheral nerve repair. The core concept involves a shear-thinning hydrogel—a material that flows like a liquid when injected through a needle but rapidly refor