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Piezoelectric Nanogenerators for skin wound healing

Project description

Nanogenerators of electric field for the treatment of chronic skin ulcers

It is estimated that up to 2 % of the population requires chronic wound treatment, and current therapies are based on bioactive molecules incorporated in wound dressings. Electrical stimulation is employed to treat neurological and musculoskeletal disorders, but it also has great potential for application on the skin. Bioelectricity has an essential role in wound healing, and as chronic wounds demonstrate loss of physiological currents, the use of exogenous electric fields could improve the healing process. Piezoelectric nanogenerators (NGs) are capable of creating an electric field when they are strained, transforming mechanical energy into electrical energy. The EU-funded ELECTROSKIN project proposes the use of piezoelectric NGs for the treatment of chronic skin ulcers creating local electric fields without the need for external sources.

Objective

Prevalence of chronic wounds increases along with vascular diseases, diabetes and systemic factors like advanced age. It is estimated that 1-2% of the population would experience a chronic wound and the annual cost of wound care rise to 20 billion dollars in United States. Current therapies are mainly based on in situ administration of bioactive molecules incorporated in wound dressings, although there still are patients resistant to these therapies. In those cases, electroceutical therapies could be an alternative strategy. The use of electrical stimulation is used nowadays to treat neurological and musculoskeletal disorders, although it has a great potential for other tissues as skin. It is known that bioelectricity has an essential role in wound healing, and in chronic wounds, there is a loss of physiological currents. Therefore, the use of exogenous electric fields could enhance chronic wound healing. We propose the use of piezoelectric nanogenerators (NGs) to treat chronic skin ulcers by creating local electric fields without the need of external power and electrodes. Piezoelectric NGs are able to create an inherent electric field when they are strained, collecting the mechanical energy and transforming it to the electric energy. Piezoelectric zinc oxide and poly(vinylidene fluoride) will be tested as NGs for skin tissue applications. We will evaluate their in vitro biocompatibility as well as hemocompatibility and inflammatory properties. The development of in vitro 3D model will allow to analyse the simultaneous interaction of various cell types with NGs. We will also analyse the effect of electric fields generated on different cell types and elucidate the response of the cell membrane and changes in gene expression. Apart from the scientific knowledge, the purpose will allow to start an international multidisciplinary collaboration. The experienced researcher will be able to lead a project and expand his competences and skills in skin tissue engineering.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-WF-2018-2020

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Coordinator

FYZIOLOGICKY USTAV AKADEMIE VED CESKE REPUBLIKY VEREJNA VYZKUMNA INSTITUCE (VVI)
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 144 980,64
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 144 980,64
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