Singaporean’s research spells new hope for healing severe skin injuries, chronic wounds
The smart wound-dressing technology taps the human body's own repair mechanism.
A Singaporean researcher's bioengineering breakthrough could revolutionize healing severe skin injuries and chronic wounds. Magdalene Ho, CEO and co-founder of Traxion Biotech, developed a smart wound-dressing technology that could potentially double the healing speed of wounds. The technology, called traction force-activated payloads (TrAPs), uses the natural forces generated by cells to release healing proteins at the right place and time to repair damaged tissue.
TrAPs harness forces during cell interaction with the extracellular matrix, an essential aspect of wound healing and immune response. The technology, published in the prestigious journal Nature Materials, has shown promising results in tests on living skin. Traxion Biotech plans to conduct large-animal validation and safety studies before seeking regulatory approval for commercial use.
The technology can be integrated into existing wound-treatment scaffolds, reducing the time needed for commercialization. It can also be adapted to treat chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers and potentially extend to healing other body tissues such as bone, muscle, and nerves. Wound healing is often overlooked, yet it poses a significant burden on patients and healthcare systems.
In Singapore, more than 16,700 people are admitted annually with chronic wounds, resulting in $350 million in economic losses. Ho's work could bring relief to millions of patients worldwide, especially in developing Asian markets.
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