Nigerian scientist, Dr Victor Ayobami Ajisafe, has developed an innovative biomaterial made from snail mucus that could transform the treatment of cartilage damage and arthritis.
In a paper published in the American Chemical Society’s ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, Ajisafe discovered that snail mucus has a biochemical composition strikingly similar to that of human synovial fluid, the natural lubricant of joints.
Speaking to newsmen, Ajisafe said his finding suggests that snail mucus could play a pivotal role in regenerating damaged cartilage, offering hope to millions who suffer from arthritis and joint injuries.
“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 research, published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, revealed that snail mucus enhances the adhesion, survival, and proliferation of cartilage-forming cells, demonstrating its potential as a natural alternative to synthetic biomaterials in orthopaedic repair.
Ajisafe’s research spans biomaterials, tissue engineering, and tumour microenvironment studies, reflecting a highly interdisciplinary approach that bridges fundamental science with translational medicine.
“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 imports,” he said.
His groundbreaking research, conducted during his PhD and now continuing in the United States, is attracting global attention for its potential in regenerative medicine.
Ajisafe, currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), began exploring snail mucus during his doctoral studies at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, which is ranked No. 1 in India and 219 in the QS World University Rankings 2025. There, he developed a novel sterilisation method that enabled the safe use of snail mucus for tissue engineering, a significant step toward producing natural biomaterials that can heal the body without causing harmful reactions.
Furthermore, Ajisafe’s collaborative research on stimuli-responsive hydrogel has gained global recognition, further cementing his reputation as one of Africa’s leading young scientists.
Ajisafe’s academic journey, which began with his humble beginnings in Nigeria, culminated in the receipt of international scholarships and the production of groundbreaking research that has been embraced across four continents, demonstrating the potential of African science to deliver discoveries that improve lives worldwide.
