Biofabricated Patient-Specific Skin Gloves as a Personalized Therapy for Mitten Deformities in Epidermolysis Bullosa
Abstract
This project addresses the FY22 PRMRP Topic Area Epidermolysis Bullosa by developing wearable engineered skin grafts as an innovative technology for personalized and advanced skin replacement therapy. Recessive dystrophic EB (RDEB) is a severe type of Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), in which recurrent blistering and scarring of the hands leads to fusion of fingers into a mitten-like deformity starting in early childhood. Engineered skin grafts made from RDEB patients cells offer great clinical promise to treat the wounds and restore the function of the patients hands and fingers. However, current skin grafts are flat tissue patches in generic shapes that have to be cut and wrapped around each finger individually, and sutured or bandaged together to sufficiently cover the wound area. This process significantly lengthens the surgery time and worsens the aesthetic and functional outcome of the procedure. In this project, we will challenge the prevailing paradigm in skin engineering by developing a 3D-bioprinting strategy to engineer wearable skin gloves that can be simply worn on the hands of RDEB patients with mitten-like deformities. Moreover, this new approach will generate both mechanically and functionally superior grafts compared to currently available engineered skin grafts. The wearable skin technology would have a transformative impact on the treatment of EB patients as well as the care of all types of extensive wounds caused by burns or severe impacts affecting the general population and military personnel, who are the greatest risk of non-fatal traumatic injuries.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 04, 2024
- Source ID
- HT94252310487
Entities
People
- Hasan Abaci
Organizations
- Columbia University
- United States Army