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Wound healing has been termed “an overlooked burden and a silent epidemic” due to the significant financial strain that it places on healthcare systems, let alone the unquantifiable human cost. The gold standard for treating secondary intent wounds – those left open to heal by themselves rather than being stitched together, such as burns – is skin grafting, but this is limited by patient conditions, the availability of viable skin and potential immune rejection.

What if we could ‘print’ new skin?

Researchers from the and the at the University of Pretoria (UP) have addressed the limitations of traditional skin grafting by merging biological sciences with engineering and computational methods to create a solution.

“Decellularised acellular dermal scaffolds (ADS) are an alternative to skin grafts and are developed by removing cells from the skin of a donor or an animal; this reduces the potential for rejection,” explains of the Department of Anatomy. “Traditional decellularisation processes have various limitations, and may produce ADS with altered three-dimensional (3D) structure, damaged proteins and decreased tensile strength.” 

Emerging technologies like 3D bioprinting can overcome the challenges posed by traditional methods.

“Our research aimed to provide a digital protocol to generate a 3D acellular dermal scaffold for 3D bioprinting,” Dr Ridel says.

This required collaboration between researchers who understood the biological need and processes required for effective wound healing and those who could develop and optimise the technological processes to create viable dermal scaffolds. The research team integrated the 3D bioprinting technology of ADS with advanced technologies like micro-x-ray computed tomography scanning and Amira-Avizo software. This interdisciplinary approach bridges the gap between biological sciences and cutting-edge 3D imaging and bioprinting technologies.

Significant impact

This research on developing artificial dermal substitutes through 3D bioprinting is significant for several reasons. Firstly, by creating advanced dermal substitutes that replicate human skin, the research offers a promising solution for treating secondary intent wounds.

“This improves the healing process for patients with chronic and complex wounds, addressing a critical need in reconstructive medical engineering,” says. “Secondly, 3D bioprinting enables us to create customisable acellular dermal scaffolds that can be tailored to the specific size, depth and nature of each patient’s wound. This personalised approach enhances the efficacy of the treatment and ensures a better fit, potentially leading to faster and more efficient healing, relieving the strain on both the healthcare system and the patient.”

Furthermore, the precision of 3D bioprinting minimises material waste, making the process more sustainable and cost-effective compared to traditional methods. This level of efficiency has the potential to make advanced wound care solutions more accessible to a broader range of patients.

“Effective wound healing not only affects physical recovery but also has psychological benefits,” Parkar says. “By accelerating healing, this reduces the risk of non-healing wounds forming; these are susceptible to infection and can take months or years to heal. As a result, patients may experience less anxiety and improved overall well-being, leading to a better quality of life during recovery.”

The integration of 3D bioprinting in wound care represents a significant advancement in medical technology. It provides a more consistent, feasible and accessible solution, addressing some of the limitations of current methods and paving the way for future innovations in reconstructive medicine.

This story was originally featured in the magazine. Check out of the magazine, which details some of our work, from advancing the field of wound care to understanding supermassive black holes.