McGill University researchers have developed a new injectable gel to treat vocal cord injuries.[1][2] The gel is made from natural tissue proteins that are processed into a powder and converted into a gel.[1][2] To extend its durability, they used a process called click chemistry, which acts as a molecular glue to bond the material together.[1][2] Current injectable treatments break down quickly, requiring repeated procedures and can further damage fragile tissue.[1][2] In a preclinical study published in the journal Biomaterials, the gel resisted degradation for weeks in laboratory and animal tests, outperforming existing materials and giving the vocal cords more time to heal.[1][2][4] The study affects about one in 13 adults affected by vocal cord injuries each year.[4] Scientists are planning tests in computer simulations imitating behavior in the body and then human trials.[1][2]