Our hydrogel offers the possibility to be loaded with an array of different drugs - and thus to be individualized for the various needs at different phases of burn wound treatment. This was one aspect of our project that was particularly interesting to the medical staff we talked to. Like this, we can produce a product with a much broader range of application than initially imagined.
It is important to note that the potential applications of our hydrogel extend beyond the treatment of burns. The exceptional combination of our specialized components makes reSkin an optimal treatment for burns. Nevertheless, our multifunctional network of resilin and hyaluronic acid can also be employed in conjunction with other components. This adaptability allows for its use with any treatment method. It can therefore be modified in the future while retaining the elastic and mechanical advantages offered by the main components. It is our belief that reSkin has substantial potential for the treatment of burns. It is our hope that, in the future, it will be possible to utilize reSkin for the treatment of a wider range of conditions.
Introduction
We set ourselves the challenge of developing reSkin, a sustainable protein-based hydrogel to help with burn wound treatment. For a year we worked on our project and we are proud of what we achieved. We are excited to see what the future holds for this project. This year we had the time to focus on the production of our main components, resilin and hyaluronic acid.
Our next steps
The creation of a hydrogel involves photo-crosslinking synthesized resilin (RE) and methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HA). The aim is to form a three-dimensional structure with hydrophilic pores by crosslinking RE via dityrosine bonds and HA via methacrylic groups. Riboflavin phosphate (RFP) is used as a photo-initiator to initiate the reaction, as it is non-cytotoxic and FDA-approved. The degree of crosslinking depends on the concentrations of RFP and functional groups, as well as oxic conditions. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) is used as a buffer to maintain pH. Blue light and UV light are tested as irradiation sources to optimize the crosslinking process. (Link). Once we've successfully crosslinked our hydrogel, we're going to integrate our substances. The water-filled pores in the hydrogel are perfect for embedding natural, water-soluble active ingredients. By integrating additional components into the hydrogel, we're going to be able to further support wound healing, reduce inflammation and promote the regeneration of skin tissue.
