Welcome to the Comparative Biomaterials Lab at the University of Guelph 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 tissue-based materials like the keratinous plates of baleen whales.

We are also interested in applying what we learn from the study of biomaterials to real-life problems faced by modern societies, such as how can we make high performance materials for industry that are sustainable in their manufacture and disposal? Animals make materials to suit their needs without the benefit of petroleum and without fouling their environment in the process, and we believe that humans could do the same if we listen to the lessons that animals have to offer.

For information about current research in our lab as well as opportunities for joining our group, see the links to the left.

*Lab News*

Check out the latest publication from the Fudge Lab in the journal Bioinspiration and Biomimetics on making silk-like fibres from hagfish slime threads (see Publications link on left for pdfs).

Congratulations to Zac Robinson for receiving the President's Medal at Carleton University at his recent convocation! See more details here.

Congratulations to Julia Herr and Tim Winegard on the publication of their papers in the Journal of Experimental Biology! (see Publications link on left for pdfs).

More congratulations to Julia Herr and Tim Winegard for receiving prestigious NSERC PGS M scholarships!

Congratulations to Lawrence Szewciw on the publication of his paper on baleen biomechanics in Proceedings of the Royal Society B. (see Publications link on left for pdfs). You can read more about this project in an At Guelph article on the University of Guelph website.

Listen to an interview with Dr. Fudge on the science radio show Are We Alone? and learn about current research on hagfish slime.

Check out other recent publications from the Fudge Lab in Integrative and Comparative Biology and Aquatic Mammals.

*FUDGE LAB OPPORTUNITIES*

*Graduate Students*

We are currently recruiting 2 PhD students for projects in Cell Biomechanics and Biomimetics of high performance proteins fibres.  Please contact Dr. Fudge for more information.