MIT molecular biologist Shuguang Zhang and colleagues at the University of Hong Kong have designed several materials that self-assemble into nanostructures. One is a molecular scaffold that could contribute to the regrowth of severed nerves. The work is based on the behavior of certain peptide sequences that can be persuaded to assemble themselves into meshes of nanofibers when immersed in saline solutions. One interesting application is to stanch bleeding during and following surgical procedures. (www.sensorsmag.com/1006/RDGel)