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. Our work on the biomechanics of predator defense in hagfishes has led us to explore many other aspects of hagfish biology, including bioenergetics, burrowing behavior and biomechanics, reproduction, and biodiversity. Recent work in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador led to the discovery and description of four new species of hagfishes.
We are also committed to applying what we learn from the study of biomaterials to real-life challenges. Animals make outstanding materials for a wide variety of functions without the benefit of petroleum and without fouling their environments. Our expertise in biomaterials creates rich opportunities to collaborate with engineers on bio-inspired design projects, including efforts to produce biomimetic hagfish slime.
To learn more about our research, click on the links below and check out our Publications.
Fudge Lab News
An ‘Academic Minute’ on hagfish biomechanics
Dr. Fudge appeared on the podcast "Academic Minute" recently, where he discussed the results of a recent paper led by MSc student Sarah Boggett on the biomechanics of predator-prey interactions between hagfishes and sharks. You can listen to the podcast here.
Fudge Lab moves to the Keck Center
The Fudge Lab officially moved into the Keck Center for Science and Engineering.
More on slime gland refilling from Sarah Schorno
PhD student Sarah Schorno's latest publication is on the cellular basis of refilling in hagfish slime glands. This paper represents a major leap forward in our understanding of how hagfishes recharge their slime glands after a sliming event. Here is the link to...
Fudge Lab receives NSF funding
The Fudge Lab was awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation for a project entitled "Biogenesis and evolution of hagfish slime and slime glands." The project is a collaboration with Dr. David Plachetzki at the University of New Hampshire and will investigate...
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...
Research Projects in the Fudge Lab
