Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2025

A Protocol for Bioinspired Design: A Ground Sampler Based on Sea Urchin Jaws
Published on: April 24, 2016
Aquatic Antagonists: Dermatologic Injuries From Sea Urchins (Echinoidea)
Caroline J Brailsford1, Dirk M Elston1
1Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. Dr. Brailsford is from the College of Medicine, and Dr. Elston is from the Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery.
Abstract:
Sea urchin injuries are common following accidental contact with sharp sea urchin spines. Immediate manifestations of injury include local erythema, pain, and myalgia. Failure to remove the spines from the skin may result in delayed systemic reactions, secondary infection, granulomas, and-if joint spaces are involved-inflammatory or infectious synovitis and arthritis. The majority of severe complications can be avoided if the spines are fully removed from the skin soon after injury, which can be difficult. This article aims to bring awareness to the myriad complications from sea urchin injuries as well as the mechanisms for successful spine removal.
Related Concept Videos
Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells
Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Burn Injuries
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells
Nucleotide Excision Repair
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...
Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...

