Therapeutic Potential of Hydrogels for Biomedical Purposes 

Project Overview

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Here we see the use of hydrogels as a means to assist in the healing of skin wounds due to their use as a targeted drug delivery vector. Their uses range from all manner of biomedical applications from healing chronic ulcers to delivering insulin for more effective treatment of diabetes. Our research group is dedicated to studying the optimal structure for Alginate hydrogel for use in targeted drug therapy.

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The structure of hydrogel is particular useful at the nanoscale which gives them their biocompatible properties. These unique structures offer perfect niches for drugs and therapeutic agents to be stored for time release in the body. This is already being utilized by pharmaceutical companies like Cytogel Pharma and Hammock Pharmaceuticals in pill form or topical appliance.

Our research group will be constructing an Alginate-base therapeutic hydrogel for use in severe burn victims. The purpose of which will be help delivery a specific concentration of common growth factors (EGF, PDGF,TGF-beta, FGF1, VEGF) that will assist the regeneration of the new skin, improve angiogenesis occurring at the wound, closure of the wound, and reduce both the time and pain endured by serious burn victims. Such an innovation would be a huge leap forward in how current burns are treated, as with skin graphs there is always the chance of rejection caused by these tissue transplants. This solution goes around that problem by regrowing the patient's own skin with a little guided help leaving no chance of rejection.

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Sources

[1] https://www.healthykin.com/p-4514-coolmagic-hydrogel-sheet-dressing.aspx

[2] http://file.scirp.org/Html/6-1060041_29469.htm

[3] http://europe.bloombiz.com/default.cgi/action/viewproducts/productid/44395/productname/hydrogel_dressing_sterile/