Project Title: Novel single-chain cyclized polymers from ATRP polymerization and their derived hydrogel for wound healing application
Thematic Area: Wound Healing and Wound Care
Focus of Research: Polymerization mechanism, derived hydrogels for wound healing applications
Overview:
The wound healing process is always accompanied by high inflammation and high risk of infection. Thus, one focal issue for the optimization of biomaterials for wound healing has been the effective delivery of proangiogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial ions to the wound to promote healing. However, the effectiveness of the available drugs addressing the injured skin has been in part limited by the single function of each kind of therapeutic factors. As such developing a synergistic therapy route - combining angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial factors is meaningful to the acceleration of the healing process. Hydrogels, which have tunable porosity, permeability, mechanical properties and the ability to fill any defect or cavity, are extensively studied as a support material in tissue regeneration. By developing hydrogels from single-chain cyclized polymers and then loading mesoporous structures (loaded with therapeutic ions) on it, high efficiency in addressing the skin trauma healing will be achieved. In this project, we aim to develop novel hydrogels carrying specific therapeutic ions through a kinetically controlled ATRP technique for direct and non invasive skin treatments.
Funded by: Irish Research Council
PI: Prof Wenxin Wang
Other Group/team members: Ms Jing Lyu
Project Duration: September 2018- September 2021