Caixa Impulse Awards an ICN2 Project Based on Membranes for Skin Regeneration

by Jose M Arcos

The project, led by Dr Salvio Suárez, is focused on producing biomaterials with antimicrobial properties that can be used to treat lesions and skin regeneration. Caixa Impulse aims to promote the creation of new products, services and companies related to life sciences and health.

"La Caixa" Foundation recently announced the results of the 2024 call of its prestigious Caixa Impulse Innovation Programme, which will support 29 biomedical projects from research centres, hospitals and universities in both Spain and Portugal.

One of the selected projects, "Antimicrobial bioinspired membranes for skin regeneration", is led by Dr Salvio Suarez, Senior Researcher in the Nanostructured Functional Materials Group at ICN2. This project aims to develop artificial skin through biomaterials with regenerative capacity, which could be used to treat patients with burns and other skin lesions.

A biomimetics-based project

The healing of burns and skin ulcers is a slow and complex process. Moreover, in many cases, there are no effective treatments available. This can affect the patient's quality of life. In this context, though, the development of biomaterials with antibacterial and regenerative properties is an important medical need that would open the door to precision medicine treatments based on the use of artificial skin.

The ICN2 Nanostructured Functional Materials Group has developed a range of artificial membranes inspired by adhesive substances produced by mussels. These materials have already been validated in pre-clinical studies for cartilage and skin regeneration. These studies have demonstrated their biocompatibility, adhesion to biological tissue and ability to transfer cells to damaged tissue. In addition, thanks to their antimicrobial properties, they are effective in preventing bacterial infection.

Towards the first human trial

This project aims to optimise and validate these membranes as artificial skin. The goal is to prepare this device for the first human clinical trial. This trial will focus on two types of skin lesions: burns and ulcers, such as those caused by diabetic foot disease, which present a major clinical challenge.

Ignasi López, Director of Relations with Research and Health Institutions at la Caixa Foundation, said that this call reflects the exceptional quality of innovation projects in biomedicine and health in Spain and Portugal. At ICN2, we are very proud of this recognition and congratulate the entire team of scientists involved in this project.