University of Sydney researchers have been awarded a Federal Government grant for their work in ready-made skin replacements for third and second degree burns.
The $323,747 development grant distributed through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) development grant has helped Professor Tony Weiss and his team progress their invention Elastaderm to human trials.
Elastaderm is an improved human skin substitute for treating burns. It is based on technology intended to reduce wound contraction and increase elasticity.
Elastaderm may potentially improve the current treatment for many burns patients, especially children who often find skin taken from skin grafts does not grow and move with their body. This causes much discomfort and usually requires multiple operations to fix.
"What we have discovered is a way to make a practical replica of the natural elastin found in human tissue," Professor Weiss said.
"So if the research continues to yield positive results we would hope to be able to apply our pre-made skin to a clean wound site, which would be more effective than using skin taken from another part of the body."
"This would save burn victims from another medical procedure, a skin graft, in the midst of their trauma."
Professor Weiss is conducting his research with paediatric burns expert Professor Roy Kimble from the University of Queensland, as well as collaborating on related research with Professor Peter Maitz from the University of Sydney.
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