Description du projet
Des nanogénérateurs de champ électrique pour le traitement des ulcères cutanés chroniques
Selon les estimations, jusqu’à 2 % de la population a besoin d’un traitement pour les plaies chroniques. Actuellement, les traitements reposent sur l’incorporation de molécules bioactives dans les pansements. La stimulation électrique est utilisée pour traiter les troubles musculosquelettiques et neurologiques, mais elle a également un grand potentiel d’application sur la peau. La bioélectricité a un rôle fondamental dans la cicatrisation des plaies, et étant donné que les plaies chroniques présentent une perte de courants physiologiques, l’utilisation de champs électriques exogènes pourrait améliorer le processus de cicatrisation. Les nanogénérateurs (NG) piézoélectriques sont capables de créer un champ électrique lorsqu’ils sont tendus, transformant ainsi l’énergie mécanique en énergie électrique. Le projet ELECTROSKIN, financé par l’UE, propose l’utilisation de NG piézoélectriques pour le traitement d’ulcères cutanés chroniques en créant des champs électriques locaux sans avoir recours à des sources externes.
Objectif
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.
Champ scientifique
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringelectric energy
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineangiologyvascular diseases
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologytissue engineering
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineendocrinologydiabetes
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringpiezoelectrics
Programme(s)
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Régime de financement
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EFCoordinateur
142 20 Praha 4
Tchéquie