Fast healing bandage inspired by Harvard's fetal skin and McGill-Technology News, Firstpost scientists

Tech2 News StaffJuly 26, 2019 15:36:19 IST

Scientists at Harvard University have created a new type of dressing that can help heal various wounds. The heat-activated gel-based dressing, inspired by the skin of a growing human embryo while it is still in the womb.

The fetal skin, as we call it, can regenerate completely when hurt, and do it with little or no scarring. The researchers know that there are significant differences in the components and mechanisms of wound repair of adults and fetuses. Despite much research on the healing mechanism of fetal wounds without scar, the exact process remains largely unknown.

A heat-resistant and heat-resistant gel adhesive bandage for faster healing. Image: McGill

It is also known that cells constituting a growing embryo produce proteins and fibers that close quickly and tightly, contract the skin around the wound almost instantaneously. Adult skin cells can still do this to some extent, but nowhere to the same extent. A team of researchers, including scientists from Harvard University and McGill University in Canada, says they have developed a dressing that can persuade the skin to stay younger, at least in a healing context. .

The bandage is composed of "resistant adhesive hydrogels that combine high extensibility, tenacity, tissue adhesion and antimicrobial function". To top it off, the material also activates when it is exposed to the heat of the skin. The adhesive is much more tacky than a conventional dressing, and also contains silver nanoparticles and antimicrobial properties to further stimulate healing.

A heat-resistant and heat-resistant gel adhesive bandage for faster healing. Image: McGill / Harvard

The dressing was much more effective than traditional dressings for treating skin wounds in pigs and mice. The study also suggests, with the help of computer simulations and medical tests, that wound healing in humans would have a similar effect.

The research and the results of the team are Posted in Progress of science.

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