Scientists develop living bandages for scar prevention

Scientists from NUST MISIS have developed “living bandages” created from nanofibers that are capable of accelerating the regeneration of damaged tissue. Findings are published in Applied Surface Science.

The therapeutic material was created with nanofibers made of polycaprolactone modified with a thin-film antibacterial and plasma from human blood. The material has shown to progress the regeneration of tissue and prevent the formation of scar tissue in burn patients.

“The solution of this medical problem was proposed by the researchers from the NUST MISIS Inorganic Nanomaterials Laboratory, led by PhD Anton Manakhov, a senior researcher," said Alevtina Chernikova, rector of NUST MISIS. "The team of scientists has managed to create multi-layer bandages made of biodegradable fibers and multifunctional bioactive nanofilms, which [the bandages] prevent scarring and accelerate tissue regeneration."

Scar tissue, which consists of collagen and reduces the functional properties of the skin, could be prevented due to the biological tissues' antibacterial effect after the introduction of nanoparticles or additional antibiotics. The increase in biological activity on the bandage area due to hydrophilic groups and the blood plasma proteins heal the tissue while the bandage in still in place. Over time, the bandage dissolves without any side effects.

“With the help of chemical bonds, we were able to create a stable layer containing blood plasma components (growth factors, fibrinogens, and other important proteins that promote cell growth) on a polycaprolactone base," said Elizabeth Permyakova, one of the project members and laboratory scientists. "The base fibers were synthesized by electroforming. Then, with the help of plasma treatment, to increase the material's hydrophilic properties, a polymer layer containing carboxyl groups was applied to the surface. The resulting layer was enriched with antibacterial and protein components."