A Nigerian researcher, Dr Victor Ayobami Ajisafe, has developed a scientific breakthrough that could redefine the treatment of arthritis and cartilage damage.
Ajisafe's innovation, a biomaterial derived from snail mucus, is attracting global attention for its promise in regenerative medicine.
The doctor, who currently serves as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) in the United States (US), began exploring the healing properties of snail mucus during his PhD studies at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India’s top-ranked university and one of the world’s leading centres for scientific research.
While at IISc, Ajisafe developed a novel sterilisation method that made snail mucus safe for tissue engineering, a breakthrough that could pave the way for natural, biocompatible materials capable of healing the body without triggering immune rejection.
In a study published in the American Chemical Society’s journal, ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, Ajisafe and his team discovered that snail mucus shares a similar biochemical composition with human synovial fluid, the natural lubricant found in joints.
The research revealed that the mucus not only mimics this vital body fluid but also reduces cartilage cell death by up to 74 per cent, suggesting immense potential for arthritis therapy and cartilage regeneration.
"We were astonished to see how closely snail mucus matches the composition of synovial fluid and reduced human cartilage cell death by 74 per cent. It is biocompatible, sustainable, and affordable, a perfect natural candidate for cartilage repair and arthritis therapy," he said.
Further findings, published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, showed that snail mucus enhances the adhesion, survival, and proliferation of cartilage-forming cells, positioning it as a natural and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic biomaterials in orthopaedic medicine.
Ajisafe’s pioneering work, which bridges biomaterials science, tissue engineering, and medical innovation, has earned him several international honours, including the Best Thesis Award for his PhD, the Best Oral Presenter Award at the BioMAH Conference in Italy, and a prestigious Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarship during his master’s programme.
Reflecting on his journey from Nigeria to international recognition, Ajisafe disclosed the need for greater investment in Africa’s scientific potential.
"Nigeria and Africa have abundant biological resources that can be turned into high-value medical innovations. If governments and industries invest in biotechnology and research, we can create our own solutions and reduce dependence on foreign imports," he said.
In addition to his work on snail mucus, Ajisafe has conducted collaborative research on stimuli-responsive hydrogels, further strengthening his reputation as one of Africa’s most promising young scientists in the global biomedical field.
READ ALSO: Ned Nwoko Says Polygamy Brings Balance, Pities Men with One Wife
Comments
Post a Comment