The STIMULUS project developed intelligent wound dressing materials to detect infections and respond by delivering treatment. Over the course of the project, 15 Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) trained within STIMULUS created new materials that react to infection-specific signals, such as changes in pH or the presence of bacterial enzymes, by changing color or emitting light. These materials were integrated into hydrogels, films, and vesicles that could be applied directly to wounds.
The ESRs engineered several systems capable of releasing antimicrobial agents only when needed. These included enzyme-responsive hydrogels, light-activated nanoparticles that produce bacteria-killing reactive oxygen species, and materials that release treatment agents when bacterial activity is detected. The antimicrobial agents used included synthetic peptides, photosensitizers, and bacteriophages. Some systems allowed controlled release by external triggers like green or blue light, while others responded to local infection conditions.
Multiple materials were designed by the ESRs to combine detection and treatment in a single platform. These theranostic systems could signal infection and simultaneously eliminate bacteria, including drug-resistant strains. Prototypes were tested in realistic lab-grown skin models and complex biofilms that mimic chronic wounds. Materials were also incorporated into hydrogel foams and dressings suitable for real-world application.
The ESRs created advanced testing models to support these developments, including three-dimensional human skin equivalents and polymicrobial biofilms containing bacteria and fungi. These models allowed precise assessments of how well the new dressings work in realistic wound conditions. The models developed and tested in STIMULUS also aim to reduce animal testing. The effectiveness of new antimicrobial peptides and vesicle-based diagnostic tools was confirmed through standardized testing on these and other established models.
Our ESRs disseminated their work at national and international conferences, including two STIMULUS-led scientific events, scientific publications, and online and real-world outreach activities. Four patent applications were filed covering antimicrobial materials, diagnostic systems, and responsive delivery platforms, with more expected. Clinical and industrial partners supported the potential commercialization of selected prototypes. Particularly advanced were the developments around the GBS diagnostic test, which underwent pilot-scale production and clinical validation in collaboration with an industry partner. Some systems, such as a diagnostic test for Group B Streptococcus, were clinically validated and scaled up for production. Other inventions already applied for patent protection included, e.g. hydrogel wound dressings incorporating antimicrobial peptides, super-absorbent wound dressings, and indicators for wound dressings. Additionally, a holography-based imaging method studied by one of the ESRs to monitor bacteria led to the creation of a spin-off company.
These efforts helped maximize the impact of STIMULUS, positioning its results for continued development beyond the project’s lifetime and paving the way for future innovation in infection-responsive wound care technologies. The training and hands-on experience received by the ESRs throughout STIMULUS not only contributed to the project’s success but also prepared them to become future leaders in healthcare materials and innovation.
