Wound healing hydrogel activates regenerative immune response

Researchers at Duke University (NC, USA) and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA; CA, USA) have developed a novel biomaterial that aids the repair of damaged skin through inducing an adaptive and regenerative immune response – whilst reducing scar formation. Their study, recently published in Nature Materials, builds upon previous research where the team developed microporous annealed particle (MAP) hydrogels. These microparticle-based biomaterials provide a structure to support tissue growth by integrating into the wound, rather than sitting on top like a typical hydrogel. A modified version of this hydrogel has now been shown to activate a regenerative immune response...