Towards Innovative Treatments and Management Of Surgical and Burn Wounds

forthcoming

The INTROS project, as multi- and interdisciplinary doctoral network, will develop diagnostic and prevention strategies for acute complex wounds that are at risk of infection. Infections represent a significant challenge, as they often require prolonged treatment and may even result in extended hospital stays. All this is associated with considerable burden to clinics and patients as well as financial costs. To address this issue, the doctoral candidates and consortium partners dedicate their efforts in creation of early diagnostic methods that can effectively detect infection and/or facilitate the direct application of advanced antimicrobial dressings and innovative formulations following burn or surgical procedures. Additionally, the (bio)materials will be designed to prevent inflammation, promote healing and regeneration, thereby reducing the risk of infection and its associated complications such as scarring and impairments. The developed systems will consist of innovative nano-/micro-sized delivery systems, biodegradable and-compatible electrical sensors or patches based on hydrogels, bacterial nanocellulose and polyurethanes as well as biologically active extracellular vesicles. This will be supported by extensive biocompatibility and efficacy testing in vitro, in vivo and especially in ex vivo wound models as well as in-depth physicochemical characterisation. Special emphasis will be on the scale-up to industrial levels and manufacturing towards GMP conditions already during the project’s lifetime. INTROS will contribute to bringing forward a new generation of young scientists by creating a research and training network for 8 Doctoral Candidates, equip them with multidisciplinary skills from biomaterials, nanotechnology, pharmaceutical chemistry and technology, biochemistry and material science. Combined with extensive complementary soft/transferable skills, INTROS will enable them to take leading roles in industry and academia in the European community.