Sharks: From Mortal Foes to Medical Inspiration

Ironically, the terror of the seas may prove to be instrumental in preventing/reducing infections, saving countless people from suffering and even death

When Peter Benchley released the book “Jaws” in 1974, he made sharks Public Enemy #1. Millions of people stayed out of the oceans—or at the water’s edge. But, as it turns out, this much-feared fish had gotten a bad rap. They weren’t out hunting people for lunch after all. And now, it seems sharks—or at least a part of their anatomy—can be a valuable asset to the medical world. Why?

As the Biomimicry Institute has stated in the past, shark skin has some amazing qualities. While many other water species—and even ships—accumulate biofouling as they move through the water, sharks don’t. In fact, even bacteria can’t adhere to their skin. This resistance comes not so much from the chemical makeup of their skin as its pattern.

UF startup Sharklet — its Sharklet Foley catheter and Sharkskin wound dressing — are featured in this article.

Read more about Sharks: From Mortal Foes to Medical Inspiration.