Welcome to the Comparative Biomaterials Lab at Chapman University led by Dr. Douglas Fudge. We study a wide range of materials made by animals, including nano-scale filaments within cells, slimes secreted to ward off predators, and large structures like the keratinous plates of baleen whales. Recent research on the biology of hagfishes took us to the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador.
We are committed to applying what we learn from the study of biomaterials to real-life challenges, such as how we can make high performance materials for industry that are more eco-friendly in their manufacture and disposal. Animals make outstanding materials for a wide variety of functions without the benefit of petroleum and without fouling their environment, and we believe that humans could do the same if we listen to the lessons biology has to teach.
To explore current research in the Comparative Biomaterials Lab, click on the links below and check out our Publications.
Fudge Lab News
New paper published in eLife
Check out the latest paper from the Fudge Lab on the origins of hagfish slime. This project was led by Dr. Yu Zeng, and involved our collaborators at the University of New Hampshire (David Plachetzki and his team) as well as undergrads Hannah Campbell and Kristen...
Welcome Mike!
Welcome to Dr. Michael Mincarone, who arrived for a year-long sabbatical at Chapman University!
New TED-Ed video on hagfishes
Dr. Fudge and Dr. Noah Bressman worked with the wonderful staff at TED-Ed and animator/director Denys Spolitak to create this short video about hagfishes.
Hagfishes featured on KQED
Check out this piece on the wonders of hagfishes by Mimi Schiffman published recently on the KQED website. Dr. Fudge was one of the researchers consulted.
Dr. Fudge interview in Big Biology
Dr. Fudge was interviewed by Marty Martin and Art Woods in the podcast Big Biology about all things hagfish in an episode sponsored by the Journal of Experimental Biology.
Research Projects in the Fudge Lab





