In a groundbreaking development, Chinese researchers have unveiled a biodegradable composite material that significantly accelerates wound healing and promotes the regeneration of skin-like tissue.
The innovative material, resembling a band-aid in appearance, was developed through a collaborative effort between the Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University and the Wuhan University of Technology. The study detailing this advancement has been published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.
Constructed from natural polymers including silk fibroin and sodium alginate, the biocomposite features a micro-nano layered structure. When applied to a wound, this structure guides skin cells to migrate across various skin layers, fostering full-thickness skin repair and regeneration. According to Professor Wang Xinyu of the Wuhan University of Technology, this process leads to the growth of native-like skin that differs from artificial substitutes by possessing normal sensory functions such as touch and pain perception.
One of the remarkable aspects of this material is its biodegradability. It can be absorbed by the human body or excreted as metabolic byproducts like amino acids, carbon dioxide, and water, eliminating concerns about residual synthetic materials in the body.
The potential applications of this breakthrough are extensive. It offers promising solutions for repairing skin and mucosal defects in the oral and maxillofacial regions and treating burns. By accelerating wound healing, it addresses critical issues such as shortages of autologous skin graft materials, limitations of non-degradable repair materials, and allergic reactions associated with existing treatments.
This advancement not only represents a significant step forward in biomedical materials but also brings hope to patients requiring efficient and natural wound healing solutions.
Reference(s):
Biodegradable material boosts wound healing and skin regeneration
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