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
Orange High School students visit Fudge Lab for “Inspiring Biology”
Fourteen students from Orange High School spent a week with Dr. Fudge, Charlie McCord, and mentor Cathy Trejo learning about Bio-Inspired design. The program, called Inspiring Biology, included visits by biologists Misty Paig-Tran (Cal State Fullerton), Kate Loudon...
Sarah Schorno’s paper on hagfish slime gland refilling is out!
How long does it take for hagfish to recharge it's slime glands? Sarah Schorno's new paper in the Journal of Experimental Biology has the answer for you.
Hagfish vs. Shark Paper is out!
Our paper on the biomechanics of hagfish interactions with toothy predators is now out in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface. This project was led by U of Guelph MSc student Sarah Boggett, Guelph undergraduate Jean-Luc Stiles and was a collaboration with Adam...
Welcome Gaurav!
Dr. Gaurav Jain will be joining the Fudge Lab in February to work on a hagfish slime biomimetics project. Gaurav got his PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Virginia Tech and he'll be coming to us from his previous position at NYU.
New article on hagfish slime in Knowable magazine
Check out a nice piece by Kendall Powell on the current state hagfish slime research in Knowable magazine.
Research Projects in the Fudge Lab
