Researchers at Linköping University in Sweden have developed a groundbreaking method for treating burns that aims to eliminate scarring by regenerating skin with significantly reduced scar formation. This innovative approach introduces live cells into a wound, supported by a specialized scaffold, allowing the body's natural healing processes to regenerate skin.
The research, tested in mouse models, utilizes a gel containing fibroblast cells grown on gelatin beads, combined with a hyaluronic acid gel. This formulation, held together by click chemistry, can be applied via syringe or 3D-printed into skin grafts. This "skin in a syringe" technology represents a significant advancement from current practices, which often involve transplanting only the epidermis, leading to considerable scarring. The new method aims to regenerate the dermis, the deeper, more complex layer of skin responsible for function and elasticity.
Johan Junker, a researcher involved in the study, explained the complexity of the dermis, stating, "The dermis is so complicated that we can't grow it in a lab. We don't even know what all its components are. That's why we, and many others, think that we could possibly transplant the building blocks and then let the body make the dermis itself." The team has also developed elastic hydrogel threads capable of forming tiny, fluid-carrying channels, which holds potential for the development of artificial tissues and organoids.
The research has received support from various foundations, including the Perling-Persson Foundation, the European Research Council (ERC), the Swedish Research Council, and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. This pioneering work underscores a global effort to improve burn care, with the potential for this technology to move towards clinical use estimated to be within 10–15 years.